CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Boaters say they moved to Cape Coral because they wanted to enjoy the 400 miles of canals the city advertises. Now, their only boat ramp by their home is gone and so are their boating dreams.
"What are you supposed to do?" asked Mark Harper, after four years living in the Cape.
Bulldozer tracks and loose dirt mark the spot of where a boat launching point used to be for people living in north Cape Coral.
"I called a bunch of people starting on Thursday and I got no response from anybody, until I called you at Fox 4 News. After that I got five calls in the morning," said Harper.
Mark turning to Four In Your Corner for answers. He wants to know why the only boat ramp he used to access the canals behind his home was bulldozed after the city fixed it up.
"They really did a nice job on this ramp by improving it and then to come here and find it just totally destroyed is just frustrating," said Harper.
He discovered the destroyed boat ramp when his own boat started taking on water. He wanted to get it fixed, but couldn't use the boat ramp to get it out. He instead had to rely on his four wheel drive Ford F-150.
The blocked off ramp infuriates fishermen.
"The city advertises 400 miles of canals for you to come and enjoy, so yeah I wanted to come and enjoy it," said Dave Jarvis. "I spent a lot of money on a big bass boat and a truck, equipment because I want to enjoy the water where I live," he added.
Harper told 4 In Your Corner he spoke with his council member. According to Harper, Councilman Rick Williams said he knew of the problem even telling Harper he had trouble with his own truck on the ramp.
Four In Your Corner reached out to the City of Cape Coral. A spokesperson says 11 of the city's 15 boat ramps aren't paved.
