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Commissioners approve Clayton Miller memorial at Willoughby Acres Park
Summary
The board agreed unanimously to allow placement of a Clayton Miller memorial at Willoughby Acres Park following a petition with roughly 1,300 signatures and a request from the family to rename the park; staff had recommended a memorial option consistent with the county’s renaming policy.
The Collier County Board of County Commissioners on July 8 voted unanimously to approve creation of a Clayton Miller memorial at Willoughby Acres Park after a petition from local residents and family members.
Petitioners Brandon Rief and Janet Miller told the commission the North Naples community has been mourning the death of Clayton Miller, a 14‑year‑old who died in an e‑bike accident on March 15, 2025. The petition — they said — collected more than 1,300 signatures in support of renaming the park to Clayton Miller Memorial Park at Willoughby Acres. County staff explained the board’s renaming policy and suggested an alternative that would retain the park name while providing a dedicated memorial area for Clayton.
Commissioner Christian Hall, who moved the motion, said a memorial in Willoughby Acres Park would be an appropriate way to honor Clayton’s memory. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff direction and next steps: The board’s action authorizes staff to work with the petitioners to develop a memorial design and siting plan that complies with county policy for park renaming and memorials; the family and staff will continue coordination on approvals and implementation.
Quote: Petition representative Brandon Rief told the commissioners, “A memorial for Clayton at the Willoughby Acres Park ... will serve as an extremely meaningful tribute to Clayton’s memory and provide a lasting reminder to the impact he had on our community.”
Provenance: Petition introduced at the 09:15 time certain (item 6a) and memorial authorization recorded at 11:10.
