Toronto Parks and Recreation officials are investigating after signs indicating “nudity is required” were posted on a beach earlier this week.
Hanlan’s Beach at Toronto Island Park is a clothing-optional beach where visitors are legally permitted to be nude in a fenced-off area. However, nudity is not a requirement, only an option.
On messaging board Reddit, a user wrote on Sunday that during a visit to Hanlan’s, they were “surprised” to see “a bunch of signs saying ‘UNDRESSING AREA – You must be NUDE.’”
According to the Reddit post, the sign looked “legitimate,” and suggested that all visitors must be nude so that nudists at the beach could feel “comfortable.”
The Redditor also said that, as they settled onto the beach, they were approached by two men who told them to take off all their clothes. They refused, and walked away.
Matthew Cutler, a spokesperson for Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation department, said in an emailed statement that city staff are “aware” of reports that signage was erected on the beach this weekend inaccurately indicating that nudity is required.
“These signs have since been removed and staff are investigating these reports to ensure that visitors to the beach are not confused by illegal or inaccurate signs.”
