7/00

This is a county park with something for everybody, even topfree tanners. There are very crowded areas of the beach, all of which are adjacent to picnic areas ( North and East beaches ) and there are also large stretches of open beach with few people. Over the last 10 years that I have been going there weekly, I have seen the culture of the place change. There is the Island north of the North beach, as Sue mentioned, and there is also a large stretch of beautiful beach just south of the crowded North Beach area that gets a lot of topfree use. Tanning can take place in the open, no problem. The Park Ranger drives up and down the beach approximately once per hour, and might ask you to cover up at this location. At other locations, that are more crowded, it is not allowed.

When people walk by, it is customary for the regulars to cover up. New people catch on quickly to this. Problems are rare. Occasionally some new people do not "get it". They are easy to spot, and again, catch on quickly. Very friendly place.

To reach this area, park on grass on the side of the main road just before reaching the parking area for the first North Beach picnic area, pick a walkway (beaten path) to the beach. Go right at the water. Crowd thins out immediately, and topfree is everywhere until you get to where the trees meet the water. This is the beginning of the first picnic area crowd. Smile and wave. The usual rules apply. No public sex - be considerate of others. Only the nicest people can be found there.

--Mark, St. Petersburg, Florida

2/00

Fort De Soto County Park, the northwest end. Just before Christmas my boyfriend and I went out there looking for a secluded place we both could be comfortable wearing our g-strings. There is a small island at the north end that we waded over to. We found a nice spot back by the dunes and weeds and set up our things. A short time later another couple came along and set their things up also. They were both wearing strings except she took her top off. Eventually they got up and went for a walk, she put her top back on, but her bikini was extremely small. As they walked by us I asked if topless was ok. She answered that she is always discreet and had never been hassled and had in fact seen other topless women in the same area. She said that since people hunting shells and walking the shoreline may be offended she always wore a top out to the water unless it was late in the day and no one was around. My boyfriend urged me to take my top off also, and eventually I did. It was nice to feel the freedom of no top!

No one gawked or stared and it was nice to have another girl nearby that was topless also. We did see a police boat ride by but he did not even slow down. Hopefully when it gets warmer down here we will return to this spot. We really had a relaxing day.

--Sue, Bradenton, Florida