Create a haven for naturists

Re Naturists urge beachgoers to strip down, July 20 As a senior and frequent visitor to my beloved Toronto Islands, I have long been aware of naturists at Hanlan’s Point Beach, although I am not one. I have never dreamed of intruding on those who are. Those who do go “sight-seeing” are crass voyeurs. If they want to swim, there are plenty of beaches for them to visit.

The time has come to declare Hanlan’s Point Beach for naturists only and anyone else is a trespasser, liable to be charged. Large signs should state this explicitly. Since Mayor John Tory aspires to make Toronto “big time” in many areas, perhaps we should join the international adult world and give naturists a meeting place that is exclusive for them. The space is there, the time is right, let’s designate Hanlan’s Point Beach a naturist haven now. Shirley Bush, Toronto As a 63-year-old hippie who remembers the original days of Vancouver’s famous “Wreck Beach” where everyone used to mind their own business, the whole idea of all nudie-beaches is the freedom to choose — without judgment of anyone else — whether to go naked or not. New-age anxiety leading to erecting signs excluding those opting to remain clothed on such beaches completely contradicts that notion of freedom.

So let’s hang up the nanny-pants and get with the program. And, whether naked or not, “Hang loose!” Liz Stonard, Port Alberni, B.C. Clothing optional? It should be mandatory for some of Toronto’s nudists. The last time I went to Hanlan’s Point, no sooner had I settled down to read my book when an Albert Einstein look-alike sprang from a bush and jiggled around in front of me. There were dangly bits everywhere. I’ll never get that image out of my head. Ben Bull, Toronto