NAC Advisory: Seattle's Magnuson Beach
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
ADVISORY
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http://www.naturistaction.org
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Copyright 2006 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.
DATE: August 16, 2006
SUBJECT: Magnuson Beach
TO: Washington Naturists and other concerned citizens
Dear Naturist,
As an important part of its mission to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists, the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) works proactively with local activists to expand clothing-optional opportunities. One of NAC's present projects is Magnuson Park in Seattle, Washington.
MAGNUSON PARK
Seattle's Warren G. Magnuson Park sits along the western shore of Lake Washington on Sand Point, and is part of an immense 350-acre area filled with open fields, shoreline, boating access, and empty warehouses. The U.S. Navy operated a base on the site for years, but when the base was decommissioned in 1990, the property was transferred to the City, which is considering what to do with the hundreds of acres of prime open space.
A HISTORY OF NUDE USE
A small portion of what is now Magnuson Park enjoyed quiet nude use since at least the mid-70s until the mid-80s to the east of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facility, which is northeast and adjacent to the park. The unofficial nude beach area was reportedly used quietly by Navy and NOAA personnel, as well as by the general public.
A few years ago, the City of Seattle established a fenced off-leash area for dog owners to run their pets where skinny-dippers and sunbathers had previously enjoyed the shoreline. NAC has no reason to believe that the creation of this now popular off-leash area had anything to do with the reported nude use of the site. Currently, the beach immediately to the south of the off-leash area and north of the park's main swimming beach has sporadic and cautious nude use.
Daniel Johnson, co-director of the Seattle-based Body Freedom Collaborative (BFC) verified historical nude use at the original site with informal interviews of beach users and a Seattle Parks & Recreation official in July 2006.
PRESENT STATUS
The area where people now sometimes enjoy sunbathing and skinny-dipping, however, is largely overgrown with non-native blackberries and other invasive shrubs. Johnson and NAC board member Mark Storey toured the site in August 2006 and agreed that two different 100-yard stretches of shoreline might easily, and without much expense, be turned into an officially sanctioned clothing-optional beach. Hoping to capitalize on the good will established by this year's series of four NAC Discovery Park Beach Cleanups, Storey and Johnson are exploring ways to create new opportunities for skinny-dippers at Magnuson Park.
PICNIC IN THE PARK: SEPTEMBER 2, 2006
A crucial step will be to develop a user group willing to go public in support of nude use of appropriate city park lands. To that end, on Saturday, September 2, 2006, from 11:00-3:00, NAC and BFC are hosting a BBQ/Potluck at Magnuson Park. The goal is to establish a new user group: the Magnuson Beach Bares.
The Naturist Action Committee will provide hamburgers and veggie-burgers for those wishing to publicly support continued nude use of this semi-isolated shoreline. If you live in the area and wish to see naturist opportunities advanced, bring a potluck contribution, something to drink, and a flexibility to enjoy what skinny-dipping opportunities may arise. The main goal of the event is to bring together people in Seattle who are ready to commit themselves to the long, hard, and public task of gaining a clothing-optional beach in their town.
The picnic will be along the shore of Lake Washington, north of the main textile swimming beach at Magnuson Park and south of the off-leash dog area, just a few yards east and off the paved Lake Shore Promenade.
Magnuson Beach Bares and NAC need to know how many people are coming in order to know how much food to bring. If you wish to help move this project forward, RSVP by contacting Mark Storey or Daniel Johnson with an e-mail to aquaman@seattlebeaches.org.
WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?
This NAC Advisory is an invitation for local naturists and others to participate in an exciting project intended to expand clothing-optional opportunities.
The Naturist Action Committee is not asking you to contact officials or take any other specific action at this time. Watch for NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this important matter.
MORE LOCAL INFORMATION?
For more information on Magnuson Beach Bares and direction to the park, see http://naked.wikia.com/wiki/Magnuson_Beach_Bares .
PLEASE HELP NAC HELP LOCAL NATURISTS
The Naturist Action Committee exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. Since its inception more than 15 years ago, NAC has consistently and successfully supported the responsible nude use of public lands. The activist programs of the Naturist Action Committee rely entirely on the voluntary support of involved naturists. Please donate generously with a check to:
NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Or use your credit card to make a direct donation online through NAC's Web site: www.naturistaction.org/donate/
Thank you for choosing to make a difference.
Naturally,
Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee
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Naturist Action Committee (NAC)
- PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Mark Storey - storey98@aol.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
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