Florida Keys News
Wednesday, July 8, 2009Add to FacebookAdd to Twitter
Nude beach proponents talk tourism

By MANDY BOLEN Citizen Staff

Key West officials got down to the bare essentials Tuesday night during a presentation about a possible nude beach within city limits.

Representatives from the group Florida Keys Free Beaches asked commissioners to designate the east end of Smathers Beach as a clothing-optional area, talking of increased tourism revenue from naturists and touting the safety record of such a beach in Miami-Dade County.

One proponent of the idea, who ran a clothing-optional resort in California, told commissioners about Haulover Park in Miami, which hosted 1.3 million visitors in 2006. More than half of those people lived outside the Miami area, he said.

Numbers compiled by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council show that Key West could see about 287,000 naturists per year.

Alan Leigh, a Key West resident, is co-chair of the local movement and spoke in support of it Tuesday evening.

"Haulover is the cleanest and safest beach in Miami-Dade," he said, adding that the visitors patrol themselves with designated Beach Ambassadors, who wear recognizable hats. These people have a great working relationship with the local police and successfully enforce the beach rules, he said.

"We would also establish a Beach Ambassador program, as the first line of interception," Leigh said. "Lewd and lascivious acts are illegal whether you have clothes on or not. We have perverts at Higgs Beach and Smathers Beach now, but there's nobody out there to watch for them."

Herman deBoer is another Key West resident and naturist.

"We need to adjust and respond to these challenging times," he said, adding that a new tourism market would help Key West.

Several other residents supported the concept, as well as the proposed location.

City commissioners and the mayor listened closely to the 15-minute presentation, but did not ask any questions, express any opinions or make any decisions.

Go to http://www.fkfb.org for more information about Florida Keys Free Beaches.

mbolen@keysnews.com

bunch of old wrinkled raisins....

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 1:47pm
this beach will be full of nothing but old wrinkled raisins. gross. what's more, what gives them the right to take away our public beach? you have no right to do that. plus, OUR taxes will pay for the cops to patrol that area. you don't have a right to take that either. go find your own beach. do whatever you want but NOT on my dime. you have been served. thank you very much.

ignorance is everywhere

Submitted on Thu, 07/16/2009 - 1:24am
ignorance is everywhere

c/o beach

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 7:46am
Those who have concerns about a clothing-optional beach should contact the Director of the Miami-Dade Park Dept. regarding Haulover, and the Superintendent of Gateway National Seashore in NJ concerning Gunnison...sites of perhaps the two most popular US c/o beaches. For more information: http://www.sffb.com/media.html ...Michael Kush

NO nude beach at Smathers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:17pm
NO! The city has already sold out the other half of Smathers to Sunset Watersports without any public input or comment from people directly impacted by it who live on S. Roosevelt! So now they're considering selling out the other half of the beach? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Do you really think anyone but the police is really going to control the perverts who go there? And the police don't control the homeless and petiphiles who go to the other areas of smathers. (see the Sheriff's website for evidence of that). So now they're going to take away our view of the sunrise, our access so we can go kite sailing, our access to a pristene beach area? And parking for these "thousands" of alleged tourists? Are they willing to destroy the wetlands, the salt pond and the bridle path across from this area of the beach that they plan to take over? No. No. No.

Get Your Medications Checked

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 9:26am
You're obviously stoned out of your mind, and have no clue what you're saying, nor even how to use a spell check.

Allowing people to go without a bikini is going to "take away your view of the sunrise"? The beach has "homeless and "petiphiles" (I actually had to force my computer not to change your idiotic misspelling) and "bridle path" (I assume that means horses are allowed to take a dump), but it's "pristene"? (Look the word up before you use it, dumbass.) People not wearing overpriced scraps of cloth will "destroy the wetlands"? Oh, as opposed to what John Ellis Bush and Charlie Crist did, I suppose.

In fact, all beaches everywhere should be clothing-optional. "Bathing" costumes are ridiculous. They're just for parading around in. Also, in many cases, hazardous to your health. They contain toxic chemicals, they trap a variety of uncomfortable-at-best things next to your skin -- the most sensitive parts of your skin -- and they can cut into your skin or attract unwelcome attention from the we-like-shiny-objects types, above or below water.

I've been a nudist for forty years, and yes, I'm a little old WOMAN. I've never had any trouble with perverts on a nude beach, the way I have at shopping malls. Nude beaches are ALWAYS cleaner, friendlier, and safer than the overcrowded tourist-trap beaches. Cocoa Beach gets more robberies in a day than Playalinda does all year. The nude end of Playalinda pays pretty much the full cost of operating the park -- the rest of it is pretty much deserted. But the rest of it is covered in trash, and the nude end is self-policed.

And the idiots who whiness "Let them buy their own beach" are reminded that we already HAVE -- we pay taxes too, and we have every bit as much right to go without clothes on public land as you do to wear anything except golf shoes. If you want a beach specifically for showing off your overpriced costumes, then YOU go buy a strip of sand and put up a sign, "Only stupid people who look like dorks allowed beyond this point."

You make me laugh! You are a

Submitted on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 5:09pm
You make me laugh! You are a member of the dumb ass club, too! You misspelled "whines" (whiness"). Bad context, too, fellow dumb ass. Just for the record, we'd prefer you got naked in your own back yard, behind a solid,eight-foot fence.

You spell Nazis

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 2:43pm
slay me. And as far as being troubled at shopping malls, it probably cause you have your clothes on. Chill out and take a Zanex.

WHOA

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 12:41pm
That is one mean lil old lady that loves being naked.

No Deep Pockets! LOL

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 2:44pm
Randy and Monique won't be able to go to the nude beach...how would they carry their wallets?

I agree, No to a pedophile

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 1:54pm
I agree, No to a pedophile beach full of perverts and child molesters.

Stupid idiots

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 9:01am
Haulover Beach in Maimi brings in hundreds of thousands of dollars to the city without an increase in crime. You fools associate nudity with perversion. Do you sleep with your wife with your clothes on? Are you a pervert?...AND FOR THE RECORD, almost all pedophilia cases are heterosexual. Police your local priest before you start yelling at nudists!

Men Speak for Nude Beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:47am
I did not attend the Commission meeting, but in all the articles and interviews about "nude beaches in key west," the only people quoted are either old or middle age men. Are there any women that champion this cause? As someone before my post said, "Let them buy their own beach," or they can get naked in the privacy of their own backyard. The real question is, why are the Mayor and Commissioners even spending valuable time on this, aren't there more critical matters to deal with in the City of Key West? The answer to the question of a nude beach is, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, let's move on!

God.. I have a question:

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 4:00pm
Which is a mortal sin: 1.Laying out topless in a remote part of a sandy beach? Or 2. Stealing $200,000.00 from school kids while my fat husband tries to cover it up? All my Conch friends tell me it is the topless beach. What do you think????

Ha! That would be Bubba Morality

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 7:34pm
Theft is ok. Lying is ok. Doing drugs is ok. Selling drugs would be ok too. But let's not show any body parts! GAWD would strike ya DAID!

I'm a woman and I see no problem with a nude beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 4:59pm
The only people who worry about someone seeing a nude body are the hypocritical church people who think that a nude body means sex. If you look at most people, I'd say that 99% have no business being naked if it were all about how people look. But it is comfortable and for those who enjoy it, why not? The only ones who fear this are the supposedly religious ones who are frightened by their own sexuality. (Yet...they breed. Odd.)

And let's not forget that nude doesn't mean pedophile. Heck, those people are the ones hiding in a basement, on a computer screen, stalking kids. They're not sunning on a nude beach, for heavens sake!

I agree with the Lady

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 7:49pm
Nude is not lewd. Haulover in Miami has a city sanctioned nude beach and it has not created any problems for the city and has drawn tourism from all over the world. Germany, for example has had clothing optional beaches for years. They certainly are not overrun by perverts. Have you ever spent any time on a nude beach? I suspect not. If you did, you certainly wouldn't find it erotic. Think about it? Strip clubs are erotic, not beaches are not. Take off your clothes and jump into the ocean and you'll see what I mean. We as a society have polluted our minds to think that nude is lewd. Ask da Vinci that question about the nude he drew and we admire today. Isn't the human body an art form? I think it is. Not lewd.

Nude Beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:37am
Do perverts, pedophiles and naturists have some sign on their forehead that tells us which one is which? It the naturists prefer to be naked, then, they need to buy their own beach. There is nowhere in the constitution that says we taxpayers need to support this, it is time to move on from this nonsense.

Leave our Cops Alone!

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 7:09pm
Not all of them are perverts. It just seems that way in the paper. Show more respect for authority.

Nude Beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 1:06pm
Charge $5.00 a day to use the beach. That will keep out the bums if not the perverts.

Family friendly clothing optional beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:36am
I am a Key West tax payer and I think it is a good Idea. Let’s get someone to use the beaches. “Do perverts, pedophiles and naturists have some sign on their forehead” I am sure it is just as easy to tell the difference with their clothes on.

Totally agree

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 10:50am
The majority of the population (by a landslide) have no interest in a nude beach, especially on a 2x4 coral rock. Then proposing blocking the beach with a 'wall' to prevent offending families and others when we have so few precious views on an already over crowded Florida Keys. It is beyond common sense. There are hundreds of isolated keys (some with aqua-bums) - please consider having your own nude Sunset Key with shuttle. There must be some "Nude Club" funds that could organize this with no tax payer money. Afterall, most environmentalist progress is made with private funding - therefore, I think you can pull it off. (no pun intended).

re: I totally agree

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 9:40am
That there are "other" private areas that could become a "nude" beach.

A designated Clothing-optional beach

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 12:59am
It may come as a surpise to some that the naturists who are requesting a designated beach are taxpaying citizens. As such, they are entitled to a designated area on public lands. The city has designated marinas, ballparks, stadiums and golf courses. They even have a designated dog park. This is a 14th Amendment issue and a Civil Rights issue. Theye have every rights to a designated area. The tourist issue is a benefit issue. Richard

I help someone move into a nudist colony

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 10:47am
looked like just a bunch of overweight folks to me. Most folks had so many rolls their Genetalia were not visible.... don’t sweat it, they've been running around naked since the beginning of time.

800 visitors at day?

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 8:31am
Why is it that every time a study is conducted in support of a program or project, the projected result is always a huge addition to tourism. The current projection is 287,000 visitors a year for the beach. That is 800 visitors a day..... every day...Mondays, when it is raining, when it is windy, during hurricanes, when it really isn't a beach day... Come on.

OK... Maybe it is only 400 a day....

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 10:23am
That would be 400 more tourists than are in town today. We have a commissioner that runs a stip joint. We have another tackey bar that has naked people running aound on their roof on Duval Street. Give me a fricking break. We have "community stardards" that seem to say don't pick on some poor lady who has stolen $200-300,000.00 from school kids. We have had a high ranking police officers that have been kicked off other squads for sleeping with teenage boy.But we give him a high paying job. These things don't seem to offend long term locals. If some tax payers want to use a section of remote beach that has never had more than 10 people there at one time as a clothing optional beach... who the hell cares! They pay taxes too. It is high time we start using our resources.. and making this town more attractive to tourists.. and to us locals. Let's pass this thing now.. and move on to other business. If you don't like it don't go. If you really don't like it tell them your personal beliefs will not allow you to take their money in your store, your bar, your cab, or to keep down your taxes. We are what we are, people. Look in the mirror. Focus your moral outrage on something that really matters for a chance.

Two Words

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 6:31am

Rossi Naked

7 Words...

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 5:09pm
That mental image makes me wanna barf... (Thanks for a good laugh!)

OMG....I've been traumatized!

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:40am
Good thing I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that.

My Eyes!

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 7:30am

OMG - You owe me a keyboard

Once something has been seen it can't be unseen

You guys in Key West don't need

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 5:52am
a nude beach. You just have to tell the businesses on Duval St. to stop holding up tourist.

For as free and liberal as

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 6:40am
For as free and liberal as Key West makes itself out to be, it is obvious from the protests regarding a clothing-optional beach, Key West is really as prudish as any other town. People need to educate themselves regarding naturists. They are not perverts. They are not pedophiles. Naturists are people who prefer to be naked. They are probably more conservative, polite, and respectful than most of the tourists I meet here. And, before you ask my credibility, I have met and spoken to, many naturists who visit our island. They, too, are in favor of a clothing optional beach that is accessible to them.

the bums

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 6:57am
will ruin it for everyone...

How will we tell

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:13am
the difference between the naturists, tourists or the homeless if they're are all naked...whom shall the police arrest?

Tourists who are not

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:25am
Tourists who are not naturists will not go to the clothing-optional beach, nor would a homeless person who prefers to be clothed. That's how you tell the difference. You won't find a naturist walking Duval Street naked, if that's your concern.

Sterno

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:00am
for everyone

Cost Additional Money to Police Nude Beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 8:28am
Here we go again looking for ways to attract the fringe elements to the Keys. Why don't we spend less time trying to attract such a small segment of the population and focus more on average folks. Let all the nudists go to Miami-Dade...good place for them. Who wants to look at a bunch of overweight boomers who miss the 60's? Not me. Wake up folks, the days of anything goes has completely eroded any semblance of class most people have. Ever listen to the way kids talk and act towards each other? A direct result of the anything goes crowd. Wake up America, our society is eroding away thanks to the Boomers...

Fringe Element ?

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:54am
Get real !!! Beware of NUDE terrorists Beware of right wing know it alls who are afraid of naked people

The Nude Beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 7:53am
I like the ida of a nude beach. I go mostly to clothing op places so I can laid out and get some sun. No I am not a pervert also. Other people I meet think the same thing. Regarding to the " bums " that is where people are walking around making sure it does not happen. Police will be brought in to remove them if it gets to that level. At first their might be a lot of people going down and looking. But after some time, it will die down.

Nude Beaches

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 7:45am
Key West wake up; People do not come to KW for the beaches which are generally not usable. I have been coming to KW for over 20 years and stopped going in the water @ 10 years ago. If I want to swim I go to Marathon

off-topic... let's stick to

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 7:29am
off-topic... let's stick to the naturists and this story.

Oh God

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 9:25am
a topic Nazi

clothing optional beach

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 3:46pm
Try it before you knock it, my wife and I visit nude resorts, spend lots of money and we are not ancient

Not a topic Nazi, just

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 11:23am
Not a topic Nazi, just someone who wants the discussion to stay to the point. Clothing-optional beach or not. I say yes. A clothing-optional beach will not attract any more perverts to town than we already have. It will make accessible a little used part of our beach area. It will bring more tourists to our area, and be good for tourism in general. Naturists are respectful citizens- certainly not the type of people you'd see hanging out at a strip club. Maybe those who oppose need to do some intelligent research on the subject.

I have changed my mind about you

Submitted on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 4:16pm
You don't sound like a topic Nazi at all,you sound like a guy with a trench coat.

you are an idiot

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 8:17pm
ditto ditto look whos callin a nazi a nazi

Hmm..

Submitted on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 11:05am
You should spend a little time analyzing your own moral position before you go around judging people that you've never met for commenting a story on the internet. Also, about the topic at hand, I believe that a nude beach in no way would harm anyone here. I work in the field of unemployment, so I have daily experience with the economy, not only on Key West, but nationwide. The outlook is bleak at best, and any added revenue would be more than welcome. This could create jobs working concession stands. Heck, charge 2 dollars to get in for the day. Even just 100 people is $200 more in 1 day, not to mention the food they would buy from local markets or restaurants, the commodities they would purchase locally, among other expenses. So really, do you think that in these trying times, you should be splitting hairs over something as silly as clothing? Im only in my early twenties, and I can tell that some of you "grown" "adults" need to really look in a mirror and do a little growing up.

OKAY! That settles the nation's economy crisis!

Submitted on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 5:36pm
Everyone get naked and go to the beach! It's good for the economy! Once again, America can be a financial super power...just by getting naked and taking to the beach! Hell, it will be so crowded, it will look like an over-crowded penguin rookery!
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