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On Thursday, February 13, 2003, Palm Springs celebrated the grand unveiling of the nudist bridge at Desert Shadows Inn. >
At an estimated cost of $650,000, the bridge spans 140 feet over Indian Canyon Drive at six feet wide and 17 feet tall. At 31 tons, 240 cubic yards of concrete, 62,000 pounds of steel, 140 gallons of paint, and 420 yards of canvas, this bridge is an artistic masterpiece and an icon for the naturist community.
The ceremony began at 10:00 am with an opening speech from Stephen Payne, C.E.O. of Desert Shadows Inn Resort & Villas. Other speakers included Pat Brown (president of AANR), Johanna Baxandall (representive her father and The Naturist Society), Ray Lavato (co-founder of Desert Shadows Inn) and Palm Springs Mayor William Kleindienst. Those participating did not seem to mind it was raining, as unusual for Palm Springs as is this bridge, the first one to allow totally nude pedestrians to cross over a city's busiest highway. And, no, the bridge does not have a glass bottom! SCNA members Gary and Patty spent a sunny, 80-degree weekend at the resort a few months later. Below are their observations:
  
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"KIND OF A NAUGHTY THRILL..."
By Gary and Patty
04/2003 - Okay, so it isn’t really a big deal. It takes about 30 seconds to walk the 110-foot span, and nobody below could see up your pants even if you were wearing any. Still, I must admit to feeling the smallest naughty thrill while walking across the new Baxandall Bridge, absolutely nude, knowing that I was part of an historic moment.
The 25-ton footbridge traverses Indian Canyon Drive is one of the busiest streets in Palm Springs. The bridge connects the existing 33-rooms and 59 condos that comprise the Desert Shadows nudist resort with its newest section, a 17-condo complex (plus a large recreation hall!) The structure is believed to be the world's first naturist bridge over a public street.
The “Nude Bridge,” as it is now being called in the media, was formally dedicated on February 13, although it still lacks lighting and a working elevator. We made our crossing during our visit to the resort on April 26, and Linda Payne, one of the resort owners, told us we were only allowed to cross the bridge in escorted groups until these last few things are complete and signed off by the city (expected by summer).
The main structure has a very modern-artsy pipe design. An opaque, teal-colored canvas lines both sides of the main span rises over 5 feet from the footpath, so you cannot see the traffic and they cannot see you. In fact, unless a driver knows it is “the Nude Bridge”, they will probably cross underneath without giving it a second thought.
Linda said the bridge has already becoming a Palm Springs landmark, having already been visited by Opray Winfrey for one of her shows. “We knew the Bridge had made the big time when we heard Jay Leno making jokes about it on his Tonight Show.”
I don’t know if Desert Shadows plans to charge to have non-guests walk over the bridge, but in coming years I suspect this instant landmark will make them a fortune in publicity, if not cash.
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