Islands Update – Fort Hamer Gate

August 24, 2026

Dear Residents,

Re: Islands Update – Fort Hamer Gate

The Foundation received the attached communication from the Islands regarding the use of RFID tags at the Fort Hamer Gate with a request that this Board forward to all RW residents. The Islands HOA has also posted this communication on the RW Facebook page.

The Foundation has agreed to send the requested communication to the RW community; however, we have not verified the accuracy of the information set forth by the Islands and we continue to monitor resident communications to the Foundation regarding Fort Hamer Gate issues concerning the RFID system and guest entry/exit for RW residents.

Further, we do not agree that, as claimed by the Islands, the issues residents have been experiencing are perceived. To the contrary, they are very real to residents. We also cannot verify whether any of the RFID issues have in fact been corrected.

With respect to the fast pass lane, as best as we can ascertain, from comments made by Islands residents, to minimize issues, users must approach the reader as slowly as possible (almost to a stop) and stay as far to the right as possible.

Importantly, the Islands’ communication does not address issues RW residents continue to have at the guest lane of the Fort Hamer Gate. Specifically, we continue to receive reports from RW residents that they are being refused access (entry or exit) despite providing identification proving that they are RW residents.

We continue to urge the Islands to modify its procedures to accept proof of identification without the need for a separate registration for RW residents to access the guest gate in accordance with our legal right to do so. We have also asked the Islands to accept the RW resident information electronically provided by the Foundation, rather than insisting on a second manual registration with unnecessary information. The Islands has not agreed to this.

Accordingly, the entire matter of the implementation of these rules and fees by the Islands has been referred to the Foundation attorneys.

We will continue to keep you informed.

We urge anyone continuing to experience issues to report them to the Foundation at info@rwhoa.org. Social media is not a vehicle to provide notice to the Foundation

Regards,

River Wilderness of Bradenton Foundation

Click Here:  Islands Update – Fort Hamer Gate