Florida Keys News
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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County considers establishing nude beach
BY TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Staff
tohara@keysnews.com

Higgs "Nude" Beach? Maybe.

The Monroe County Commission on Wednesday gave county staff the green light to research a clothing-optional beach on county property.

The idea came out of a discussion about the county spending $485,000 to improve Higgs Beach, which had been neglected up until several months ago.

Local political gadfly Sloan Bashinsky, who has been pushing the issue on his blog, suggested establishing a clothing-optional area at the West Martello Tower, which houses the Key West Garden Club's garden. He said there is a growing movement in Key West to have a clothing-optional beach on the island, as many European vacationers visit Key West.

County Attorney Suzanne Hutton asked commissioners whether they wanted her office to research the idea. Commissioner Sylvia Murphy led the charge, saying she supports the idea, although she does not plan to go there. Murphy said her European friends have complained that Americans are "prudes."

County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro, who lived in Europe for 30 years, agreed with Murphy and said it is time to consider the idea, saying it could make Key West more marketable to European vacationers.

Clothing-optional Haulover Beach in Miami-Dade County generates several million dollars a year for businesses near it, according to Commissioner Heather Carruthers, who represents Key West.

She agreed the county should research the issue, but questioned whether the area behind the fort is the "right place for it." The beach and pavilion next to the fort is frequented by families, the area is visible from the White Street Pier, and there's a children's playground across the street.

The county is sprucing up Higgs Beach and recently assigned a full-time deputy to patrol the area. Carruthers and others are developing a master plan for the beach. She has identified $485,000 in unused county Tourist Development Council funds for the project.

The group has identified $125,000 worth of work needed on lighting, bathroom renovations and parking lot restriping.

Carruthers also wants the county to upgrade the neighboring Astro City children's playground and tennis courts and install speed bumps or less cumbersome "rumble strips" on Atlantic Boulevard. The crosswalk at the beach also needs to be upgraded, she said.

For years, the beach has been frequented by homeless people and the police have been summoned to quell fights, drinking and drug-related crimes.

tohara@keysnews.com

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nude beach

Submitted on Sun, 07/19/2009 - 10:25pm
if you had a nude beach we would vacation in keywest rather than jamaica, we would much rather stay in usa

Key West nude beach

Submitted on Sat, 04/18/2009 - 8:52am
I will also toss out my passport and vacation at key west till I die! Nude beach, yes we can!

I'm all for it

Submitted on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 1:43am
Haulover II for Key West!

Maybe the county can use the

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 4:57pm by M
Maybe the county can use the Hickory House property for their nude beach.

Hickory House!

Submitted on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 12:50am
Great idea.

Another Blight on Key West

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 4:57pm
It must mean money to Monroe County or some kind of kick back to the county. They have completely lost their minds.

Nude Beach

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 3:59pm
Surely the whole point of europeans coming to the USA, Key West or elsewhere, is that it is NOT Europe!!! And where on this tiny island would you be able to locate a nude beach secluded enough to be away from children, passers by and others who did not want to see it?

Tell 'em to not look

Submitted on Sat, 04/18/2009 - 4:58pm
Tell 'em to not look

Selling out Key West yet again

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 12:02pm by Linda
If Europeans want c/o beaches let them go elsewhere. Why do we have to keep prostituting KW for tourists? I really don't think visitors have been coming to KW for decades to see nude sunbathers. We have all but lost the uniqueness that KW was known for.

"Let them go elesewhere???"

Submitted on Mon, 04/20/2009 - 11:34am
Key West is a TOURISM BASED economy...if "they go elsewhere", Key West is done for. The added draw that a nude beach will provide, in a controlled and limited section, will be a great draw to not only "Europeans", but the many, many Americans who would be attracted to it. We're not talking about letting people run around naked all over the island, we're talking about providing a venue for those who enjoy an all-over tan in a specific section which would be clearly designated. Anyone offended should simply stay away from theat section...they have the rest of the island to play in.

We let people run naked all

Submitted on Mon, 05/25/2009 - 1:05am
We let people run naked all over key west during fantasy fest. It's something that we love and encourage. Why are people so upset at having a designated area for a clothing optional beach. Maybe it will free up some of the other beaches for families. Not such a bad idea to me.

You must be one of those hypocrites

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 8:48pm
We all know the type - they would never let go of their inhibitions, yet they'll go downtown during Fantasy Fest and gawk at those with little clothing on. Betcha you were one of those who went to the Shores and had a 'beer' had to get an eyeful. Do you take your little ones down on Duval at midnight during the Fantasy Fest celebrations so YOU could get your eyes full? Hyp0crites are the hardest to stomach IMHO.

No, we lost...

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 4:11pm
...Atlantic Shores!

It's not about GAWKING, for heavens sake

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 3:22pm by *.*
That's what we see here at Fantasy Fest - people who come to town, wear their tacky shorts and tshirts and walk around with their cameras taking pictures of those who are far more original and far more exposed. This isn't about VOYEURISM, for heavens sake. It's about the ability to enjoy the weather without dealing with clothing. You people need to let go of that Christian-Judeo attitude about your own bodies.

Great Idea, Bad Location

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:24am
I think it's a wonderful idea and support Key West having a nude beach, but I think that is a horrible location for it. It would need to be a location that is a little more hidden than that. Having nude people directly across the street from a children's park just does not make sense.

"nude people directly across the street from a children's park"

Submitted on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 1:41pm
We have children's parks and playgrounds in out Nudist resorts. So why not? Oh I get it afraid they may see something outside that they see at home? If you people did not have such perverted minds you would not even think of such things. If God wanted us to be naked, we would be born that way.

Again, you're not GETTING IT

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 3:20pm by *.*
Why is it wrong for kids to see nudity? What EXACTLY is wrong with it? And if everyone had no clothing, then all these goofy bodies we have would have no impact. Quite frankly, I saw my parents naked from the time I was a tiny child and it never was an issue for me. AND I had an understanding as to what was going to happen to me some years down the road, as gravity took hold. :-)

Awsome

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:01am
The bums are going to love this....go for it!!!! I think we need a few nude beaches throught the Keys...we don't want prudes in Marathon or Key Largo. Why not allow anyone who wants to ride bikes or walk the sidewalks go topless? To the visiting Europens, why come to the States if you want them to be like Europe?

I get the Why, but How?

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 9:47am
I get why we would want to have a c/o beach. It's common in Europe and everyone wants to be like Europeans, right? Well, last I checked, public nudity was against the law. I think there is also this thing called indecent exposure. I am not trying to be one of those Morality Prudes, but do you wall off the beach to protect the children playing across the street from seeing what could be indecent? How much will that cost us? Or will the law be invalid so long as you are standing on the sand? If visiting Europeans feel like we aren't making them feel at home, then why do they come here? Sorry for my naivity, but most people really ought to keep their clothes on, so I don't go to c/o places.

Ok, I accept this, but only if ...

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 9:07am
Ok, I accept this, but only if they put those high powered stationary binoculars that you put quarters in for viewing time on the White Street Pier. The parking and beach entry revenue would be peanuts in comparison. Have town vendors sell over-priced sunscreen near the quarter change machine, and the city might be able to offer free parking in old town. Brilliant.

nude beach

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 12:09pm
My wife and I have been nudists for over 30 years, and have traveled to Europe many times. Our favorite place to travel to however; is Key West. There is no place like it in the world,so laid back, the people so nice, weather so great. Now a nudist beach fantastic. We will throw away our passports and travel to KW only.

Fabulous idea!

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 9:07am by *.*
It's time we moved into true international thinking here. There's nothing wrong with the human body and anyone who thinks there is needs to pull their heads out of their (Portion of the human body - there, I edited for you, Citizen). Those who think it's so horribly wrong for children to see nudity are the ones who are raising kids who think 'porn' is hot. Now I'm waiting for the 'family freaks' to get on their soap box and start preaching morality.

And what about these families who take their kids to Fantasy Fest at 11 PM, then write in and complain about the nudity their kids saw? There's something very wrong with these people.

So finally we are going to

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 8:55am
So finally we are going to put some money into Higgs Beach, and then turn right around and rip it right out from under LOCAL FAMILIES that may want to use it! This town gets more and more incredible every day! I'm sure the homeless would love hanging out at your nude beach. Or will you decide to patrol the beach then?

THIS TOWN

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 9:30am
Read the article you idiot..It is the county commission that came up with this not the city commission.

Nude beach across from Astro City?

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 9:26am
Have we forgotten that kids are right across the street playing at a park? I'm all for celebrating the human body and sunbathing au naturale, but this is not the area to install a nude beach.

Teach your kids properly

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 9:38am by *.*
Teach your kids that there's nothing wrong with nudity and it's not an issue. No wonder Americans are so stove-up! Keep hiding the human body and natural functions from your kids and next thing you know, they'll be making sex tapes.

At Least Wait Until Elections Are Over

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 8:01am by Igotmine
Any approval before elections could give Sloan Bashinsky's campaign legitimacy and if he's ever elected Mayor of Key West...God help us all!

'A day at the beach, one and all welcome

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 5:01am
Clearly any resort area claiming international status for itself wants to deliver. We have now and have had in this area for over twenty five years a 'nude' beach on Boca Chica with no objection or harassment on any regular basis. Another location is referred to the as the 'old canals'. Zach Taylor State Park has the most foreign visitors and it is usually their family custom to be 'clothing optional' as in topless or nude . If there is a local or state policy to this 'international' behavior it has been, over the years not only irregular but arbitrary and capricious depending on ever changing moral winds blowing from the sands of Key West to the whims of Tallahassee. The positive practical designation of separate and equal accommodating areas for users of the local gifts of nature(with parking) can allow everyone from the fully clothed Mennonite with high shoes and headcover to those as naked as god left them on her earth, to each, in their own way, do their innocent and innocuous thing called 'beaching it' with respect for all and for the shared patrimony of the public beaches (sounds awfully American to me) In our earth's larger scheme of things local civil servants have but a privilege to be temporary stewards. This could a be no-brainer 'good will' action under the 'just do it' banner of good business, freedom to chose, acceptance etc. Or it could the opposite.... "Rise to the occasion" Do It NOW........STUDIES, SURVEYS, EXPENSE NOT NEEDED.......ACTION......Not EXCUSES................OR:! politicos: One more time live down to your reputations, consult everyone, do a 4 week trial in August and report the results during a hurricane in September that 'little interest was detected, insurance questions arouse, an RC priest saw a nudist, blah, blah blah"... To quote Columbo "now why in the world would you wanna do a thing like that for?" ......Check it out, Take a swim,,,,,Ed Gillis.....Key West

Clothing Optional Beach

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 12:26pm
The success of the clothing optional section of Haulover Beach in North Miami demonstrates the feasibility of such a beach. I have friends and family who stay in the Miami area just because of Haulover. Key West would be a more attractive tourist destination if we had a public sanctioned clothing optional beach or pool venue.

My Wife and I love Key West, but ....

Submitted on Tue, 04/21/2009 - 3:07pm
My Wife and I are not Eurpoean and love Key West, but we stopped going there when Atlantic Shores closed. We enjoyed going there during the day to sunbathe nude and then spend the evenings (and our money) going out to dinner and hanging out on Duval Street. We know lots of other "American" couples who felt the same way. Get the nude beach and we an other normal, red-blodded Americans will return and spend our money. Until then, it is not worth the effort.

Clothing Optional Key West

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:45am
YES YES YES; Clothing optional beaches are all over Florida and all over the World. We can't wait and if you don't like it, don't go there, go to another beach where clothing is required

Beach Balls

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 8:50am
You must be the naked guy I saw sitting on his porch holding a beach ball while riding my bike this early morning.

nope

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 1:00pm
I have no porch so I would have wanted to be at the beach

Bla, Bla, Bla

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 8:41am
Maybe it's time for the Citizen to begin charging by the word. "The length of this document defends it well against the risk of its being read." Winston Churchill

When one 'blah' will do

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 1:09pm
The quote, new to me, is on point, and the gentleperson's point made. EG

Clothing optional beach

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 8:27am
Now we are starting to get some place. All you have to do is take a look at the c/o beach in Miami to see what a great idea it turned out to be. People come from all over the world to that beach....sometimes it is the only beach in Miami with people on it (and its a beautiful and quiet place). The parking fees alone generates a ton of money. This, coupled with the additional tourist bucks at restaurants (etc)will go a long way toward footing the bill to improve Higgs Beach (and other projects). Find a suitable beach, designate it as C/O for a year and then look back to see if the outcome was consistent with the objectives. Oh, by the way, talk to the neighbors of Haulover Beach in Miami....they love it! Push the "GO" button on a Key West Clothing Optional Beach.

It already IS clothing

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:45am
It already IS clothing optional, or was last Saturday. It was a vision of paradise, lovely maidens disporting themselves, innocent in their nakedness. Actually, the place was jammed as though it was the 4th of July.

Beach

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 10:10am
Good article in the Miami Herald today on Cuba and tourism. We are going to need all the enhancements we can get in town to draw people here rather than having them fly over us to Cuba for @ $39 from Miami. Haulover on Miami Beach generates millions of dollars in parking fees with millions of visitors a year... and virtually no problems. Commissioners should go there on a weekend and see... I am sure Sonny would have no objection. However the best place may be the Northernmost part of Smathers... by the rocks... which would be used to mark off the section... wood snow fence could be used to set off the southern border... no residences across the street and probably is the most isolated section in town. Give people options. Atlantic Shores was one of the most popular spots in town, and no one went to hell because they went there that I am aware of.

Good idea. Sounds like the

Submitted on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 4:29pm
Good idea. Sounds like the best location to me. But would it eventually be sold out to developers like Atlantic Shores was?

C/O beach

Submitted on Sun, 04/19/2009 - 5:35pm
Excellent idea...!! Go for it...! Hope the number of c/o beaches increase over time..!!

Higgs Beach

Submitted on Sun, 04/19/2009 - 4:31pm
As someone who lives in Fort Lauderdale and owns a house in Key West, all I have to say is.....Its about tiime! It has always been amazing to me that one of the most tolerant cities in the nation did not have a nude beach. I will frequent Higgs beach often along with my wife and we will utilize the local businesses often.

CO Beach

Submitted on Mon, 04/20/2009 - 5:23pm
We go to Haulover often and because of it bought a condo in Miami Beach. Its great and because of it we spend and spent a ton of money to take advantage of it. Would we go to Key West if it had a CO beach? Why not, the drive is beautiful and we like Duval street but right now go north to Tampa or Orlando which has lots of CO resorts if we want a weekend away. I say go for it.

c/o beach

Submitted on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 1:48pm
Key West needs a c/o beach!! We live in NJ and our c/o beach is packed on weekends and crowded during the week, bringing many dollars to the area!! I have talked to the Park Rangers and there are less problems on the c/o beach than on the other beaches in the park!! We vote "yes"!!!!
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