Hi Tim,

.... I wanted to get to know the general state of barefoot acceptance in Germany and other countries, and I guess I'm taking a chance writing in English (it's all I know!). I'm particularly interested in the barefoot parks and how that may have triggered a further acceptance of barefooting in the cities. Has it?

We have founded a barefoot trail close our small city (15000 inhabitants) and made some events with barefoot activities. It seems this has favoured positive thinking about going barefoot. In summer you always can meet lots of barefoot children and even some unshoed grown-ups. And in the High School some students have organized a foot sensation path in a class room for the 20th school anniversary. Since then it is very common to go barefoot at that school -- I know it form my daughters who attend it and my wife who is a teacher.

And as for the cities, from Franco Spatz' webpage, one would get the impression that barefooting is very popular, especially around the universities.

Franco does not show shoed people who are still predominant

Thirdly, is there any provision for this forum already translated into English that I do not know about? I thought that if I found Germany barefoot-friendly enough, I might take a vacation there, also to meet up with other barefooters if possible.

Germany is barefoot-friendly, it is a very rare exception if anyone is criticized for his bare feet. I visited hotels, musea, churches, restaurants, shops, I went by train and bus -- all barefoot. I could imagine that it would be a nice vacation to combine visiting barefoot parks and some nice cities that are close to them. I did some travel of this kind myself.

Fourthly, are there any pictures of barefooters in the cities here so that I can get a better impression?

We had some barefooter meetings in nice cities, but some participants resisted against their publication. So we cannot show them, but it is most important to respect personal rights.

I made some information and pics available in englisch -- including barefoot parks- Perhaps you already know the site:

natural and healthy barefoot activities