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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.

• Tierra Verde Community Garage Sale

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: September 3, 2009

  In April 2009, I participated in organizing the Tierra Verde Island Wide Garage Sale.  The event, which began in November 2008, was hosted by The Island Reporter, a South Gulf Beaches community newspaper.  The April sale, as the November one, was a big hit with island residents and “garage sailors” (as I refer to weekend bargain hunters).

  My husband and I challenged ourselves to stop at each and every sale.  We visited more than 150 of them!  The photos accompanying this post were taken that day.

  Weather wise, the skies were blue, the spring day temperature was just right, and there were thousands of interesting items, value buys, and friendly smiles on display at each place we visited! 

  The event has become so popular that the Tierra Verde Women’s Club is planning to host a Tierra Verde Community Garage Sale at a central location in downtown Tierra Verde on November 14, 2009.  Put the date on your calendar and plan to attend!  There will be booths featuring garage sale items; craft displays; food venders, and island businesses will be hosting sidewalk sales.

  In addition to the Tierra Verde Women’s Club Community Garage Sale, The Island Reporter, intends to sponsor their Island Wide Sale on the same date, making the event, in the truest sense, an oh so fun community-wide activity.

  For homeowners, the sale is a wonderful way to free up garage or closet space.  Participants are encouraged to donate a portion of the proceeds from their garage sale to their favorite charity.  And, augmenting the event, there will be open houses for homebuyers to tour! 

  For visitors, this activity offers a great way to become acquainted with the charm of Tierra Verde and the neighborly friendliness of the island’s residents.  

  After participating in the sale, go a few miles south, to Ft. De Soto Park, for a refreshing walk along the shoreline of North Beach,  rated as America’s Top Beach for the second consecutive year (2009 and 2008) by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest online travel community, and the #1 Beach in the USA by Dr. Beach in 2005. 

  Or, enjoy lunch at one of the island’s many restaurants-there’s something to tickle everyone’s taste buds, from Italian, German, Asian, French, and continental cuisine, including hamburgers, foot long sandwiches, salads, pizza, locally-caught fresh seafood, cold beverages, and ice cream! Yum!

  It has famously been said that “a picture is worth a thousand words.”  So, I will let the below pictures from the April 2009 Tierra Verde Island Wide Garage Sale speak to tell the rest of this happy story for me.

  I hope to meet other “Garage Sailors” on November 14th! 

  Come play on our island and enjoy another fun day . . . in Paradise Found!

  PHOTO CREDIT:  Photos courtesy of Connie Langhorst and Thomas Gerwe.

• Celebrating Labor Day

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: August 24, 2009

  Labor Day is just around the corner.

  Given that the Bureau of Labor Statistics is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2009, it seems appropriate, with this post, to recognize Pinellas County for its commitment to preserving our area’s natural beauty and for having a vision for the future.  This achievement is the direct result of the dedication and hard work of many people-from residents to local, state, and federal government officials.

  In recognition of Labor Day, it is fitting to offer a tip of the hat to Mother Nature, for the natural beauty she bestowed upon our area, and to Pinellas County officials for adopting a “Gateway to the Future” plan.

  Here are a some highlights about Pinellas County worth celebrating . . .

  Pinellas County was designated as the first “Green County” in Florida in 2007.  (Source:  Florida Green Building Coalition).

  Two Pinellas County beaches have been named the #1 beach in the continental US, including Ft. De Soto County Park (North Beach) in 2005 and Caladesi Island State Park in 2008.

  According to Pinellas County’s official website, future plans call for supporting economic and employment potential with County projects and plans, a recreational plan, an intermodal transportation hub, international airport master plan update, and plans for other County projects.

  With regard to the environment, County officials, working in conjunction with community leaders, volunteer groups, residents, and representatives from every level of government, are committed to natural resource protection and public use opportunities for parks and waterways throughout Pinellas County.

  Historical preservation is another priority.   Karen Williams Seel, currently a member of the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners, chairs the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, in a post on the County’s website, says:

  Pinellas County enjoys a rich and diverse culture and historic past. The historical, cultural and aesthetic heritage is among its most valued assets. Few urban areas today boast such unique perspectives of the past. Because of widespread growth and redevelopment in recent years, it is critical to the future of our County that we preserve and maintain significant elements of its history.

  With this in mind, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) took the initiative to establish a countywide policy to address historical protection and redevelopment issues among local communities. In June 2005, the BCC by resolution created the Historic Preservation Task Force (HPTF) to develop a historic preservation plan inclusive of all jurisdictions . . .

  . . . Now established as the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, members look forward to addressing future objectives. Such objectives include:

  • Establishing and maintaining a County Register of Historic Places;
  • Developing and promoting preservation regulations and programs,
  • Providing educational outreach and technical assistance (e.g. “Tool Box Kits” on historic preservation) to interested groups and citizens;
  • Exploring financial incentives to preserve historic resources;
  • Enhancing possible grant opportunities through participation in the Florida Certified Local Governments (CLG) Program;
  • Integrating and maintaining consistent historic preservation policy in Pinellas County planning processes;
  • And, researching, evaluating, and developing an ordinance to restrict demolition of significant historic resources.
    

  I am honored to serve as Chair of the Advisory Board and to be a part of perpetuating the culture and history of our County into future generations. The Advisory Board welcomes input from all citizens and the perspectives of those who can continue to enhance the rich heritage of Pinellas County.

  The future of Pinellas County and our area’s breathtaking natural beauty are very bright, indeed!

  Thinking about Labor Day . . . it takes time and energy to explore the many parks, beaches, waterways, nature trails, and historic landmarks that exist in Pinellas County.

  But it’s worth the effort and is the best kind of work–because it’s fun!

  I wish everyone a Happy Labor Day!

  Feeling proud (and lucky) to live . . . in Paradise Found!

  PHOTO CREDIT:  Photos appearing in this post are courtesy of Pinellas County.
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