Treasure Island Beach, Florida - Part One
Posted August 7, 2009 , trackbackMost people believe that Treasure Island was named for its pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters. It’s an understandable assumption; the island’s name and marketing slogans (”Treasure of the Gulf Coast” and “A Jewel of the Gulf Beaches) do not exaggerate the beauty of this three mile islet. But the origin of Treasure Island’s name has nothing to do with its natural assets.
Treasure Island Beach Access Park
In the early 20th century when Florida was just being discovered by a new affluent upper class, several local developers and land owners attempted to boost property sales by first burying and then “discovering” a couple of wooden chests on the beach, claiming they were filled with treasure. As the news spread, people began calling the island Treasure Island and the name just stuck. Fortunately, the name suits. With its uncrowded, laid-back beaches, the island has an “Old Florida” feel, yet its location in the greater Tampa Bay region provides guests with access to all the amenities and attractions one would expect to find in a major metropolitan area.
Volleyball nets and playground equipment line the wide beach
It is, however, the beaches that attract most visitors. Although the entire Gulf Coast side of the island has a sandy shoreline, most visitors congregate in one of three main beach areas. Treasure Island Park and Treasure Island Beach Access Park, both located mid-island on Gulf Boulevard, provide easy access to the widest portion of the beach. With a total of 218 public parking spaces, restrooms, changing facilities, water fountains, beach showers, bicycle racks, and concessions, these two parks are preferred by most families. There is something for everyone here: sports-minded head for volleyball nets that stretch between the concession stand and the beach, while those who prefer to soak up rays in a less strenuous manner claim one of the royal blue chaise lounges that hunker beneath bright yellow shade cabanas at the water’s edge.
The Town provides chaise clouges and shade cabanas
After a day of sunning and swimming, visitors find that most of the island’s gulf-front motels and hotels, restaurants, and shops are located within short walking distance of these two beach accesses. There is a fee for parking, however even that can be avoided by hopping aboard one of the reasonably priced trolleys that travel up and down Gulf Boulevard on a regular basis. Treasure Island beaches are open from sunrise to sunset.
Watch for part two of this series next week, an overview of Sunset Beach, the place where Treasure Island’s party animals congregate.
Photos and article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels
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