STAFF REPORT

January 31, 2000

To: Economic Development and Parks Committee

From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject: Hanlan's Point - Clothing Optional Beach Pilot Project

Downtown

Purpose:

To provide a update report on the Clothing Optional Beach Pilot Project at Hanlan's Point on the Toronto Islands during 1999.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

With severe restrictions placed on current spending, no additional funds have been allocated to the clothing optional beach pilot project. Financial implications and impacts will be considered if and when Council approves a permanent clothing optional beach.

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) Council approve an extension to the pilot project for two operating seasons in 2000 and 2001;

(2) further analysis and study on the issue of safety supervision and the provision of lifeguards on the clothing optional beach be conducted and a further report forwarded to the Economic Development and Parks Committee by January 2001;

(3) a program for providing improved directional signs and limited promotional materials be implemented for 2000;

(4) the City Solicitor report on any by-law changes and outstanding legal issues to extend the pilot project; and

(5) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

In January 1999, a well researched and comprehensive brief was submitted by Mr. Peter Simm, a director of Totally Naked Toronto Men Enjoying Nudity (TNT! Men) and the Hanlan's Point Naturists, which proposed the establishment of a clothing optional beach at Hanlan's Point. As a result of this proposal, a report, was submitted to the Economic Development Committee in April 1999.

In May 1999, Council approved a one-year pilot project for the implementation of the clothing optional beach at Hanlan's Point and recommended that a complete review of the project be conducted after the 1999 season.

A project committee consisting of representatives from the City of Toronto, the Toronto Police, the Toronto Islands Residential Community, and the proponents of the proposal was formed to assist in the development and implementation of the pilot project.

Comments:

The Parks and Recreation Division of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department has received a number of letters directly, and from the offices of Councillors, expressing thanks and positive remarks with respect to the implementation of the clothing optional beach. Parks and Recreation also received a few letters expressing dissatisfaction with the decision to implement a clothing optional beach. Reasons cited include moral standards and improper signage and fencing to distinguish the public beach from the clothing optional beach.

An approximate 750 M section at the south end of Hanlan's Beach was delineated and identified as the clothing optional area. There are two further sections of the beach, a 150 M section that is not clothing optional and is supervised by the Toronto Police Marine Unit Lifeguards. The other 600 M section to the north end of the beach adjacent to the Airport property is also not a clothing optional section (See Map Attachment No. 2).

The clothing optional beach was well used in 1999, from approximately 11:00 am until sundown daily. During peak times, there were approximately 350 to 400 people on this beach and approximately 40 people on the portion of the beach that was not clothing optional.

The clothing optional beach, as with all other beaches and parks, was patrolled by Parks' staff on a daily basis. The beach was mechanically groomed weekly and paper picked daily. All current Uniform Parks By-laws seemed to be adhered to, including conduct, park use, organized activities and vending. The Toronto Police reported few problems with the implementation of the beach and a very limited number of complaints.

Since 1999 was the first year of the pilot project for this clothing optional beach, there are some issues that were identified as requiring more discussion before action could be taken. They include lifeguarding, wheelchair accessibility, additional signage and promotions, washroom accessibility and overall size and location of the beach.

Safety Supervision and Lifeguarding:

The responsibility of lifeguarding, including location of lifeguard station, staffing and hours, needs to be addressed.

Proponents of the beach have requested that safety supervision and lifeguards be provided in the clothing optional area of the beach. Due to a number of issues, the Toronto Police Marine Unit are reluctant to provide ongoing supervision to the clothing optional area. They also feel that the current supervised area should be maintained as a clothing required area. This issue needs further analysis and meetings with the Toronto Police Services Marine Unit and our Human Resources staff to develop a program and staffing recommendation. Further, the potential for additional staff would require funding which is estimated at a cost of $18,750.00 per year. There is no budget for this expenditure at this time and discussions on this issue is requested.

Accessibility and Washrooms:

As the number of people using the clothing optional beach increased, the issue of wheelchair accessibility was raised. This requires a wider, paved path that would require capital funding. We had proposed the installation of portable toilets during the pilot project. In fact, on further investigation, we were not able to provide these since the servicing of these units would require a truck to have access to the area and with the deep, soft sand conditions, this was not possible. Beach users were directed to use the change and washroom facilities adjacent to the beach. If a pathway were installed, vehicle access to the beach would be improved and washrooms would be feasible.

Signage:

Additional signage and promotion issues were raised by people who used the clothing optional beach. They felt that directional signs were required to properly inform users of the exact location of the beach on Hanlan's Point and to direct them to that location. They also felt that an increase in promotional materials would make more people aware of the clothing optional beach and possibly increase the number of users. We believe that improved signs can be accommodated within our 2000 Operating Budget and implemented this summer.

Ferry Impact:

Our overall ferry traffic to the Toronto Islands was down 1.9% in 1999 from 1998. However, weather patterns have the single most significant impact on ferry traffic and 1999 passenger volume is well within our five year rolling average.

Overall traffic to the Hanlan's Point dock was up in 1999 by 11.2% over 1998 (89,000 in 1999 vs. 80,000 in 1998 and anecdotal evidence would suggest that the clothing optional beach was the primary reason for this increase.

Much discussion on the current size and location of the clothing optional beach at Hanlan's Point occurred in preliminary planning meetings in May and June of 1999, with the understanding that it was a pilot project only. To increase the current size or to relocate this beach would involve higher operating and capital expenditures.

Conclusions:

The clothing optional beach pilot project at Hanlan's Point has proven to be successful in 1999. There are still several issues to be addressed and a further evaluation period required prior to a permanent, designated clothing optional beach being permanently established in the City of Toronto. (See Attachment No. 2)

A further two year pilot period is recommended to fully address these issues.

Contact:

John A. Macintyre,

Acting General Manager of Parks and Recreation

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Telephone:

397-4451,

Fax: 392-8565,

jmacinty@toronto.ca

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 1 - Correspondence Councillor Ashton

Attachment No. 2 - Map Hanlan's Point