Piles of trash, dirty lakes, racist property deeds and pedophiles living nearby have not deterred one man's dream of creating a Christian-themed nudist community.
Bill Martin has purchased about 240 acres of land about 30 miles outside Tampa for a little more than $1.6 million, much of it on the site of an old nudist colony that had fallen into disrepair, which he and his business partners hope to transform into a modern-day Garden of Eden.
"The Bible very clearly states that when Adam and Eve were in right with God, they were naked," said David Blood, executive director of the project. "When people are in right with God, they do not have to fear nudity."
The renovated park — to be called Natura — would feature an open church, a giant water park for the kids and classes in family building and strengthening marriage.
Martin hopes to have enough of the trash removed and facilities fixed up for a naturist marriage retreat and nude baptism ceremony in April.
Further renovations and additions are planned for completion within two years, he said.
Martin said he had not yet figured out what to do about four registered sex offenders living in or around the park, though he said he's discussing it with his attorneys.
"We'll make sure that no harm will come to children," he said.
Another problem is the deed to the dilapidated clubhouse and beach, in which the former owner had included language banning black people.