In 1981, Fred Bishoff had a vision and maybe even he didn't know what would happen over the next 30 years with the growth of the Nudist lifestyle. A lot of this growth was due to the Internet which made it easier for Nudists to access venues worldwide, but it was also due to people like Mr. Bishoff who saw the potential for that growth.

I never knew him myself, as my first "exposure" to Paradise Lakes was around 2002, long after his departure. The resort now has its third owner, John Fornier, who tries to maintain the vision in a tough tourism market, and has great plans for expansion in the future.

The concept itself was unique: Build a resort for Nudists with all the amenities onsite such as tennis, volleyball, pools, restaurants, a nightclub and a pub, so you have a complete vacation or weekend right here. Then build condos and offer single family homesites built around these amenities that are individually owned yet interdependent on one another in order to be successful. Many of the condos were used for vacation rentals or timeshares, and later even a hotel was added.

Instead of being strictly a Nudist resort, it was the first "clothing optional" venue, so people could give it a try without the pressure of being nude unless they wanted to be. Most people are nude, of course, but the option still remains.

Most people who belong here, and some have been here since day one, enjoy the "coziness" and friendliness of the resort and community, yet also like the amenities which are still important to us. New faces also come and go, making it a true "Paradise" for social Nudists. It is, and always has been, unique.

More info at Landolakes.patch.com

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