2010 is here and we are halfway through the first month of the New Year!  

Many people take the opportunity to utter (often under their breath) a commitment to a New Year’s resolution.  Getting more exercise is often at the top of the list, and there is no easier way to keep a commitment to getting more exercise than participating in any one of a number of fun activities at Ft. De Soto Park in Tierra Verde, FL.

Whether you enjoy hiking, jogging, skating, kite boarding, surfing, swimming, kayaking, bicycling, or the causal ease of camping, collecting shells on the beach, a museum tour, boat ride, fishing from the pier, bird watching, or a leisurely walk with a furry friend at the doggie park and beach, there is an activity for every person at every skill level at Ft. De Soto Park! 

Getting more exercise in 2010 could not be easier or more fun! 

More interesting facts and information about Ft. De Soto Park follow. 

Have a great year.  I hope to see you at the Park . . . in Paradise Found! 

Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway South
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Park Office – (727) 893-9185
Campground Office – (727) 893-9185

Fort De Soto Named America’s Top Beach for 2009
Pristine Area Favorite Lauded as “Portrait of Tranquility”
Fort De Soto Park was named America’s Top Beach for the second consecutive year by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest online travel community.
Citing a “spectacular combination of soft white sand, calm, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere,” the popular online travel network put the park’s North Beach at the top of its annual best-of list, based on TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index. This marks the second time in three years the pristine Pinellas County beach has received top honors on an annual “best-of” list. In 2005 Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach!

The largest park within the Pinellas County Park System, Fort De Soto park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands. First opened on December 21, 1962, when the state toll road named the Pinellas Bayway was completed, this park was dedicated May 11, 1963, in perpetuity as a public park. Annual park attendance averages more than 2.7 million visitors.

The 12-inch mortar battery, located at the fort for which the park was named, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Adding to the historical interest at Fort De Soto, two British breech-loading, rapid-fire rifles of 1890 vintage were installed in March 1982. Markers showing the original building locations and a Quartermaster Storehouse Museum add to the park’s historic interest.

Renovation and conversion of the East Beach concession building to a picnic shelter was completed in 1991. This picnic shelter can easily accommodate 200 visitors and you can now make shelter reservations online!

The following amenities complement the Park’s natural and historic features:

Over seven miles of waterfront, including almost three miles of the finest white sand beach in the United States.

An 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks.

A 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a camp store.

Two large swim centers including a food concession area located at the North Beach Swim Center.

Two fishing piers, one on Tampa Bay (500 feet long) and the other on the Gulf (1,000 feet long). Each pier has a food and bait concession.

Fourteen large group picnic shelters incorporating award-winning aesthetic and functional design features.

Twenty storm-resistant public restroom buildings featured in several national publications.

A snack bar/souvenir shop offering a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.

A 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort.

A 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail.

A 1-mile nature trail in the Arrowhead Picnic area, and a 3/4 mile nature trail in the Soldiers’ Hole area provides a glimpse of some the native fauna and flora.

Quartermaster Museum. 

2,200 foot Barrier-Free Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail, providing access to nature for all visitors to Fort De Soto Park, regardless of their physical abilities.

A Dog Park – Fort De Soto has the only dog park where dogs are allowed on the beach in a designated area.  Be sure to review the rules online! 

Youth camping area for organized youth groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church groups, etc.

Follow this link to the Ft. De Soto Park Official Website to view 360º Virtual Tours of the following park amenities:  Gulf Pier, North Beach, Campground, Shelter 14, Pier 1, Boat Ramp, Museum, Fort, Barrier Free Trail, and Dog Park.

CREDITS:  Information and photos courtesy of Pinellas County and Ft. De Soto Park.  Some photos by yours truly.