UPDATE:
Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit has told KelownaNow that council has now received a formal complaint and will be looking for a solution, if any, to the ongoing dispute. Jakeubeit said there are “passionate parties on both end of the spectrum” and the city will investigate to see what, if any options exist to remedy the situation.
He added that there could perhaps be some sort of community engagement process with the six households in the affected area. But it will be a matter of months before any movement occurs from the City of Penticton’s end of the situation.
Original Story:
A sunny stretch of land in Penticton is garnering a lot of attention lately over whether or not the beach should be clothing optional, and after a concerned resident voiced their concern in Council on Monday, the debate has only garnered more fuel for the fire.
Three Mile beach in Penticton is one of the last clothing optional sandy shores in the Okanagan, but some land owners in the area not too keen on having swimmers in the buff hanging out in their backyard.
Despite several attempts to keep nudists off the beach with 'no trespassing signs' and fences, one concerned citizen said the problem is getting out of hand.
Photo credit: Three Mile Beach.com
Aggravated by the problem and having failed to shame nudists away from the beach, concerned citizen Matt Fraser addressed Penticton Council on Monday, pleading with council to do find an appropriate solution to the nudists on Three Mile Beach. He also suggests that nudists have vandalized signs, fences, water irrigation, and stole property.
“The fact is the public family beach has never been used as a nude beach. People were always in the private and secluded area on Cary's property, [hid] and out of sight. Now this small group is trying to claim that this area has always been a nude beach and don't mind exposing themselves to children or families,” said Fraser in a presentation to Penticton Council. “This group that does not feel like abiding by the law or the will of the neighbourhood has a Facebook page hosting events like naked potlucks on the family beach[...] it's just not right. Something has to be done[...] if we don't do anything about it, the meetings for sex Ads will start again and the 50-100 people will come back and it will be out of control once again.”
Fraser also told Council that he has witnessed a nudist peeping and masturbating in the bushes by the beach, and that he has found sex toys and “many” condoms on the beach.
“This continues to be a public safety issue. The fact is these hidden secluded areas sometimes attract people that are there for illegal activities such as drugs or trespassing on private property to have sex,” said Fraser.
Fraser ended his address by asking Council to implement a “no nudity by-law,” which imposes penalties for those who fail to comply.
Photo credit: Three Mile Beach.com
In response to Fraser's address, members of the Locals Supporting Locals Facebook group, including Kevin Proteau, held a protest on the Penticton Council steps Monday evening.
“The purpose of this press conference is to present to the public and to the residents of Penticton both sides of the 3 Mile Beach issue,” read the Facebook post. “Not much has been said from people who are naturists, that do partake in the lifestyle, because of the bulling that has taken place in the past year to two years, and some of us feel now is the time to speak up.”
In a statement submitted to Penticton Council, Proteau spoke on behalf of the naturist community in Penticton.
“The Okanagan Naturists Community was not informed or asked to present their side of the issues that have taken place [at] this council meeting and feel that only one side is being represented and therefore being heard,” said Proteau.
He then goes on to say that the community is willing to have further discussions to attempt to mediate the situation. As well, Proteau defends the naturist community in Penticton by explaining that Three Mile Beach is an “International Naturists Tourist Destination,” which garners revenue for the City.
KelownaNow has reached out to Penticton Council to see what the next steps in this matter will entail, but no comment has been given at this time.
Photo credit: Three Mile Beach Clothing Optional Facebook.
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