Naked truth about beach development

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

No swim suite? No problem at this beach in Penticton.

Naturists who flock to a clothing optional beach in Penticton fear they may soon lose this little piece of paradise north of Three Mile Beach.

The land above the spot where they shed their clothing to sunbathe and swim is currently listed with a Kelowna realtor and they believe if it is sold the beach will be off limits.

“If it goes I lose my place where I come to relax and unwind,” said Dustin, a beachgoer who did not give his last name. “It’s also home to endangered species like the blue tailed skinks, bald eagles nest in the cliffs and there are turtles in the swamp near the big willow.”

Dustin said he and others who frequent the beach are worried because a lot of people have been coming to look at the property in recent weeks.

The land in question is listed by Gary Athans  of Macdonald Realty Kelowna as 17 plus acres with 850 feet of beachfront, in its own bay. The asking price is $2.9 million.

The property owner is an individual from Vancouver who owns Hermitage Vineyards Ltd. The man, who did not give his name, said the property has been for sale for three years and the idea of it being developed lakeside is nothing new.

“You can let them know that hopefully they appreciate the fact we let them enjoy our private land which will likely be developed at some point in the future,” he said. “They are welcome to approach us to buy the land or buy it with the city of Penticton."

“It is advised that they start looking for another beach that is ideally not someone’s private property.”

City Councillor Garry Litke said although the clothing optional beach is adjacent to Three Mile Beach, any development would be private.

“I haven’t heard anything about this,” he said.

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Beach goer Greg shows the area to be developed

A neighbor of the landowner who lives above the beach said she has never met the person who is selling the property.

“But it has always been a rule of thumb that beyond the willow tree is a nude beach,” she said.

Beachgoers, who were there slathering on sunscreen and socializing on a hot day this week, said the beach is worth saving because it has been there for 60 years or more.

Those who use it, love it so much that they have created trails and steps to access the beach, where butterflies and hummingbirds zoom by under the shade of olive trees.

The group is so close that they hold a potluck the third week of August, where everyone is asked to bring in enough food to feed 10 people.

That would all be lost if it is sold and used strictly by the owners, said a man who gave his name as Jerry.

“I have always understood this is on private land,” he said. “But there aren’t many nude beaches in Western Canada. I know about this one and Wreck Beach in Vancouver.

“I guess we could always move somewhere else, but the loss would be sad.”