Fort Hamer Gate Updates

August 12, 2026

Dear Residents,

Re: Fort Hamer Gate Updates

This is an update and a reminder of the rules, procedures and fees implemented by the Islands for River Wilderness residents to utilize the Fort Hamer Gate.

Prior to the Islands installing its own RFID access system for the Fort Hamer Gate, the Foundation offered to install and maintain the same system as we had installed and tested at the Old Tampa Road Gate- -at no cost to the Islands. We also offered to share the registration information for residents so that we would have a fully integrated system. The Islands rejected our offer and, over our objections, installed its own RFID system and implemented unprecedented rules and fees for River Wilderness residents to access the Fort Hamer Gate.

Please understand that the Islands has limited rights to control access through the Fort Hamer Gate. However, the Islands cannot interfere with or diminish the legal property rights granted to every resident of River Wilderness, which includes the right to traverse the roads to and through the Fort Hamer Gate. Simply, these rules unilaterally implemented by the Islands require residents to complete a registration form to access the guest side of the Fort Hamer Gate. If you wish to use the RFID access side of the gate, you will also need to pay a one-time (per vehicle) fee of $25.

Notwithstanding compliance with these requirements, many residents have had access issues through the Fort Hamer Gate. We believe that these issues are the result of failures on the part of the Islands to properly input registration information, or compatibility issues between the Foundation issued RFID stickers and the Island’s RFID system.

We have put the Islands on notice of the situation and their obligations to correct it. Unfortunately, the Island’s response has been an attempt to put the burden on residents to return to the Community Center for new RFID stickers or for the Foundation to otherwise address the issue. We have notified the Islands that this is not acceptable and that they are responsible for fixing issues which their decisions and actions have created.

We have also notified the Islands that they cannot deny or restrict a duly registered resident access in violation of his/her property rights. If a duly registered resident encounters an issue, that resident should be allowed to access the gate while the Islands resolves the issue. We have also advised the Islands to not touch or remove RFID stickers as that will interfere with its operation at the Old Tampa Road Gate.

This squabble between the Foundation and the Islands does not help residents who are being inconvenienced or worse. We understand the frustration. We are trying to work through this with the Islands; but if we cannot promptly and amicably resolve this, we are prepared to take appropriate legal action to protect the rights of residents.

Finally, to report any problem within the community, including this gate problem, please contact the Foundation Board at info@rwhoa.org. We will try to assist. Also, we need to have an accurate record of the issues our residents are encountering. The Facebook page is not controlled or monitored by the Foundation and cannot be relied upon to provide notice to the Foundation.

We will keep you informed.

Regards,
River Wilderness of Bradenton Foundation