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• Make A Resolution to Visit Ft. De Soto Park

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: January 15, 2010

  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.

• Dog Days of Summer

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: August 2, 2009

  August has arrived and we have entered the season referred to as “The Dog Days of Summer.”  Although the term has more to do with astronomy (and the “Dog Star,” Sirius), here in the South Gulf Beaches area and throughout Pinellas County, dogs, and pets of all kinds, reign supreme at this time of year. 

  Canines, companioned by human friends, have the luxury of carefree romping at County parks and beaches designated as being “pet friendly.” 

  The Dog Park and Beach at Ft. De Soto Park in Tierra Verde is one example. 

  “Paw Playground” at Ft. De Soto Park offers spacious fenced areas for large and small dogs, with watering and shower stations, and funny little hydrants painted to look like people.  There are park benches situated in the shade of leafy trees for people and pets to enjoy. 

  There’s always something to see and smile at.  On my last visit, I saw an Irish Setter running to catch a flying disc, three long-eared, slow-moving Bassett Hounds, a ball-chasing Spaniel, a lap-hugging Yorkie, a giant black Schnauzer, a merry mixed breed rolling in the grass, and my own shelter-adopted miniature Dachshund, who sat in the shade of my shadow. 

  There are dogs of every size and color, some with spots, some with long coats, short coats, or wire-haired coats.  As far as amenities go, the Dog Park provides dispensers with bags for disposing of “presents.”  The park is clean and open to the public (donations are accepted).  

  The Dog Beach is a short, sandy trail walk from the Dog Park. Situated on a sunny strip of white sand beach along the open waters of Tampa Bay, it affords beautiful views of open water, wildflowers in bloom, palm trees, and nearby Bay Pier.  Bring a beach umbrella and a lawn chair or beach towel, or sit on one of the conveniently-located park benches near the water’s edge and enjoy the free entertainment. 

  The dogs put on quite a show!  They swim, fetch sticks and tennis balls, and busily hustle and sniff their way along the shoreline.  There’s lots of running, playing, some digging in the sand, and plenty of tail wagging. 

  Even though the season is named for the Dog Star, Sirius, it’s the perfect time of year for our feline friends, too!  The South Gulf Beaches area of Pinellas County is home to numerous pet boutiques, pet day care centers and spas, groomers, pet sitters, veterinarians, and pet-oriented retail stores.  Furry feline friends can be pampered luxuriously (and, really, don’t they demand this attention and love it?).

  Pinellas County is a pet-friendly community.  Dogs , by ordinance, are welcomed in many public places, including some area restaurants. 

  What’s that you say?  You don’t have a four-legged friend?  Have no fear . . .

  . . . SPCA Tampa Bay is here! 

  The shelter recently dedicated its beautiful, new Edward D. Foreman Adoption Center and Gift Boutique.   SPCA Tampa Bay offers cats and dogs, kittens and puppies (and bunnies and so on . . .) for adoption.  They have a farm animal sanctuary, provide pet-related training and seminars, and offer spay and neutering services. 

  At SPCA Tampa Bay, you can adopt a furry friend (more correctly, a pet in need of adoption will surely win your heart and adopt you).  Once the adoption process is complete, visit SPCA Tampa Bay’s Gift Boutique to acquire the accoutrements needed to pamper your new family member and introduce him/her to your home.

  Think of it this way . . . SPCA Tampa Bay has adoptable pets for every season! 

  Don’t squander “The Dog Days of Summer.”  With or without a pet, visit a dog park or beach in Pinellas County today! 

  You’ll be entertained!

  It’s all part of another fun day . . . in Paradise Found.

  Thanks for visiting!

  Photos taken by Connie Langhorst during the Dog Days of Summer at Ft. De Soto Park Paw Playground.
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