HAULOVER PARK UPDATE

Representatives of SFFB attended the quarterly Haulover Park Stakeholders meeting for an update of park projects as follows:

The north parking lot tunnel renovation will begin “soon” making access to the beach ADA compliant. During construction the tunnel will be closed, so users of the naturist beach will have to park in the next lot south. We’ll keep you updated on dates as construction progresses. They couldn’t say how long the construction will last.

Four solar powered trash recycling units will be placed throughout the park although the wire baskets will remain on the sand. Cost of the units were $8-10K each and can hold 5 times the amount of trash held by regular units. Here's what they look like. http://www.bigbelly.com/solutions/stations/

Park security has been beefed up. Two park guards have been added for the 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. timeframe covering the north lot and the crossover. Miami-Dade police will cover the area after sundown. The new lifeguard building is expected to be completed by Memorial Day. Plans for rebuilding the Fishing Pier at the south end of the park are underway with a Seasons 52 restaurant opening at the end of 2014.

We were asked to relay the message NOT to feed the gulls on the beach. It not only makes them aggressive but also affects their health.

Our Beach Ambassadors were complimented on their help keeping the peace on the beach. Yay! We make a difference.

1ST ANNUAL FLORIDA
SKINNYDIPPERS’ CELEBRATION

Many of our members and supporters also belong to naturist travel clubs, special interest groups and resorts spread throughout Florida. They faithfully travel to Miami to experience the freedom of Haulover Beach. So for once we're having a party inland. It’s road trip time for everybody.

SFFB & GNI will be co-hosting the 1st Annual Florida Skinnydippers’ Celebration at Vitambi Springs – Florida Wilderness Camp and Resort in Clewiston, Florida, north of the Miccosukee Indian reservation off I-75. Although this resort is a men’s membership club, they frequently open their doors to the naturist community at large.

Vitambi Spring’s policy is normally clothing-optional, except for the front entrance, and a few other spots where clothes are mandatory.

We’re sending a personal invitation to all the clubs in Florida, regardless of their nudist/naturist affiliation, asking them to share it with their membership in an effort to reach our beach buddies. With a plug in NUSA Sun magazine (Pasco County region), FaceBook and Twitter and putting an invitation on the Naturist Bulletin Board at Haulover, we’re reaching out as far as we can. 

What will the turnout be? Who knows? It’s never been done before. Will the skinnydippers join us for an inland naturist experience?  I guess you’ll just have to come see for yourselves.

I personally visited the resort and I gotta say, this place has got it all: restaurant, patio with grill, bar and pool room, nature trails and a variety of accommodations. They just finished a beautiful new pool last month. The management is friendly and professional.

They are giving us a great group rate, so when you call them for reservations mention South Florida Free Beaches.

Being nude in a beautiful natural setting is a real treat, as well as good “therapy”, and spending time mingling with fellow skinnydippers is time well spent. We’ll be doing a Speed Friending session after the Meet & Greet breakfast on Saturday morning followed by free bodypainting by Carl Flick http://carlflick.com/bodypainting from 11 to 4 and dancing Saturday night. Also, bring a pair of sturdy shoes for a guided nature hike on Sunday.

Reservations should be made directly with Vitambi Springs at 863-983-8488. Check out their website at www.vitambi.com to see the variety of accommodations and their stunning property.