NAC Action Alert: Seattle's Magnusen Park & Potential for a Nude Beach Designation
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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
ACTION ALERT
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http://www.naturistaction.org
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Copyright 2012 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 : April 23, 2012
SUBJECT: Seattle Parks
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens
Dear Naturist,
This is an Action Alert from the Naturist Action Committee. In specific cooperation with local activists who have made a broad appeal for help, NAC is asking for the immediate local involvement of naturists and other interested individuals and groups in the vicinity of Seattle, Washington. At issue is the possible establishment of a clothing-optional area in Magnuson Park on the shore of Lake Washington.
WARREN G. 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 AT SEATTLE PARK AND REC FACILITIES
A small portion of what is now Magnuson Park enjoyed quiet nude use from 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.
Magnuson Park is now being re-purposed for various uses that benefit the public. Naturists are asking/expecting to be included in the planning consideration.
The Naturist Action Committee has taken an active role in the history of nude use at Magnuson. In 2006, NAC sought and received permits to stage two clothing-optional picnics, open to all, on the lakeshore in Magnuson Park. Those nude events went off perfectly.
NAC has further experience with the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Seattle, having negotiated approval for a series of nude swims at pools operated by the Department. The six NAC Nude Swims were quite successful, and they served as a pilot project for local groups to continue the nude events at public facilities.
NAC IS ASKING FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION
ACTION: ATTEND THE PUBLIC MEETING ON APRIL 25, 2012
If you're in the Seattle area - or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest - NAC requests that you attend a public meeting that's being put on by the Magnuson Park Advisory Council and the Seattle Park and Recreation Commission.
DATE: Wednesday, April 25, 2012
TIME: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
LOCATION:
The Garden Room at the Brig
Magnuson Park
6344 NE 74th Street
Seattle, Washington 98115
NAC Board Member Mark Storey will be there.
OTHER MAGNUSON ISSUES
The meeting on Wednesday will NOT be addressing skinny-dipping issues exclusively. It's important that naturists be there, and that they be seen and heard supporting clothing-optional use for a portion of the park. However, it's also crucial for others to know that naturists are an important part of the overall picture at Magnuson.
Naturists have a deserved reputation as responsible stewards of the land they gently use. The Magnuson Park Advisory Council and the Seattle Park and Recreation Commission are looking for volunteers who will help with various restoration projects that will benefit the general public. This sort of thing is a natural for naturists and their groups! NAC encourages a proactive stance in becoming a significant part of the community.
It may become important at some point to address standards of behavior at clothing-optional beaches. Naturists recognize that they are sharing a public resource. There is no proper basis for excluding anyone. Nevertheless, naturists are strong advocates for the accepted standards of clothing-optional beach etiquette. Behavior while on the beach is the criterion. Expectations related to age, color, religion, sexual orientation and so forth are immaterial.
MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Whether or not you're able to attend the meeting on April 25, NAC suggests that you keep up with this important issue. Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.
http://www.naturistaction.org
Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.
NAC NEEDS YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!
The Naturist Action Committee is the volunteer nonprofit political adjunct to The Naturist Society. NAC exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. Working for the clothing-optional recreational use of public land is expensive. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you.
Please take a moment to send a donation to:
NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: www.naturistaction.org/donate/
Thank you for choosing to make a difference!
Naturally,
Mark Storey
Board Member
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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