Posted on 11/03/2005 6:11:21 AM PST by Sam's Army
Lakeland Inn Will Allow Nude Sunbathing
By Mary Toothman and Diane Lacey Allen The Ledger
LAKELAND -- A Lakeland man plans to open a bed and breakfast that will include a clothing-optional swimming area and provide a gay-friendly environment.
The Swan Park Inn will be located at 118 E. Park St. in the South Lake Morton historic district. The house is now being restored by 54-year-old Charlie Boyd, who is on a leave of absence from his 30-year job as a psychologist for the Polk County school system.
Asked if he is concerned about community reaction to his plans for the inn, Boyd said he realizes people have a wide variety of opinions.
"But I don't think that I will have any problems," he said. "I'm going to have an 8-foot privacy fence up in the entire rear area of the property. If somebody wants to look in here, they're going to have to climb the fence."
But not everyone is keen on the idea of naked sunbathing in historic Lakeland.
"That's not my idea of what we want for Lakeland," said Mayor Buddy Fletcher. "That's not my idea of what would be quality of life for our city of Lakeland." The inn features a rainbow icon on the front door, the symbol for gay pride. Proprietor Boyd plans to embrace diversity.
City Attorney Tim McCausland said Lakeland has no lifestyle ordinances, but "if it's something that's clothing optional, it's likely to run afoul of our anti-nudity ordinance."
McCausland said he would have to look at the operation and review the ordinance to see if it applies.
But Jim Studiale, the city's director of community development, said the city does allow for bed and breakfasts and that the inn has not violated any zoning restrictions.
Boyd said guests will be expected to be law-abiding and respectful of neighbors, and nothing illegal will be tolerated. But it is absolutely an open-minded business, he said.
"I do realize that I am in Lakeland, Florida. I also recognize the fact that I am going to have my business here," he said.
He said there are similar inns all over the country.
Boyd said he plans to expand the inn as he makes purchases of nearby properties. Right now, he's focused on construction problems that have caused him to rethink his planned opening for late December. He said now he'll probably open sometime in early 2006.
He bought the house, which he thinks was built between 1915 and 1920, for $178,000, he said. He said he will likely spend as much as $125,000 on renovations. The house is undergoing roof repair, getting a high privacy fence in the backyard area and having extensive interior work done.
Potential guests will all know up front what the rules of the house are, he said.
Will this be a nude inn? "No, absolutely not," he said. "I am not a nudist, I'm a naturist. Nudists want to be naked all the time. Naturists enjoy nudity in appropriate settings. I consider sunning and swimming to be an appropriate setting. It should be done in privacy."
The inn isn't all about nudity, he emphasized. "It is merely a clothing-optional area, for a certain period." Guests may disrobe in the pool and spa area from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from dusk to dawn.
He will post information about the inn on Web sites where gay- friendly inns are listed, he said.
"Guests using the pool and spa at night must observe quiet hours and refrain from activities that would be disturbing to other guests or adjacent residences," the Web site, at www.swan-park-inn.com., says.
It's legal to offer a gay-friendly environment and a clothing-optional area, Boyd said. "I don't see how they can stop me, it's private property."
Sheriff Grady Judd, who has repeatedly attempted to stomp out adult businesses, said he didn't want to malign the inn before it opens. But he was also quick to say, "I can assure you of this, both the city Police Department and the Sheriff's Department will take a keen interest in them if they violate the law."
But the alternative options are just a part of what Boyd has planned. He will feature a hotel that's been totally restored in a home that is two-story, hipped-roof, four-square house, named for its squarish proportions. It features a front porch, original hardwood floors and staircase, and numerous stained glass windows.
East Park Street neighbor John French, who has been restoring homes in the area, said he and his wife, Ashlee, have no problem with plans for the inn. On the contrary, he said the neighborhood is greatly improved with the restoration project.
"A couple of years ago, this was a very rough area, a very uncouth kind of street," said French, who is from London. "It's heading in the right direction now. I don't see it's a problem."
I don't believe anyone in my family has ever been naked.
Um...then how were you concieved?
I didn't read it all--it's just too sad. What state is this?
Yes, now the street is running towards the obscene, or as London psuedo-intellectuals call it: sophistication.
Florida; in the middle of possibly the most conservative area.
I have heard there are many right-wing Christian nudists in Florida, so I don't know what's really going on down there.
Up here in NY, it's usually too cold for that kind of thing...
I wonder if Janet Reno has made reservations at The Swan Park Inn.
Really? There's more to this story than was written in this story.
Right-wing Christian nudists? Sounds like a punk-rock band.
If that doesn't kill a nude beach, I don't know what will.
Could I get a different room? The one you gave me smells like a$$.
The inn features a rainbow icon on the front door, the symbol for gay pride.
WHAT?!?!?! You two told me it was a symbol for people who think rainbows are pretty! I put that on my car! No wonder people have been laughing and pointing at me! Damn you.
Owl_Eagle
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Lawyers Fight for Release of Sex Criminals
Posted by Calpernia
On News/Activism 11/03/2005 9:11:56 AM EST · 8 replies · 60+ views
is posted right above...
Lakeland Inn Will Allow Nude Sunbathing
Posted by Sam's Army
On News/Activism 11/03/2005 9:11:21 AM EST · 12 replies · 202+ views
As an artist, I have no particular aversion to nudity, per se.
However, let me point out that, from my observations at Cancun (where topless sunbathing is permitted), it seems that those who can least afford to viewed au natural are those most inclined to be.
I mean, hot girls in Cancun? You bet. All wearing very nice one and two piece suits (including my wife). Who's got the tops off on the beach? The three hundred pound frauleins from Germany. Go figure. And it's the same way with guys and speedos.
I'm with Drew Carey on this: If you don't have a beautiful body, cover it the **** up!
= )
Ain't it the truth! I live near the beach in Southwest Florida (a huge vacation spot for Krau--er, I mean Germans) and this is THE easiest way to see who is a local and who isn't.
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