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Ontario’s Nudists Losing Place To Hang Out

By this time next month, about 150 nudists will be thrown out of the province’s oldest nudist retreat because their 100 acres of Eden is being sold to another owner.

The several dozen nudists who live within Glen Echo’s grounds on campsites got their eviction notices on Tuesday.

“We’re all very disappointed. You suddenly lose your second home, our home away from home.”

“We have to be out by Oct. 1,” said Keith Scott, a member since 1995.

The nudist movement in Ontario had its genesis with Glen Echo Park, which was founded in 1955 as a cooperative. Most in the community got their first taste of naturism at the site, which is nestled along the Oak Ridges Moraine in King Township. In its mid-1990s heyday, as many as 350 families were members. But interest in the movement has sagged across the world in recent years.

Glen Echo’s owners, Mary and Edward Todorowsky, are approaching 80. Since 2005, they’ve been trying to sell to someone within the nudist community, who would keep their sanctuary open.

But after fours years of trying and several failed offers, the Todorowskys gave up. The property was sold for a rumoured $2 million.

“Losing a club is not good for naturism,” said Stéphane Deschênes, who owns Bare Oaks. “It just means there’s less space. So many people have grown up in Glen Echo. It’s just really sad.”

There are three other nudist resorts in and around the GTA – Four Seasons, Ponderosa and Bare Oaks, which is not far from Glen Echo.

Four Seasons, which is located just south of Guelph, does have campsites available for $350-$450 a month. Like Bare Oaks, it has been undergoing a massive transformation over the past few years.

Hoping to attract a younger crowd, both resorts are moving away from the old “roughing it with nature” mentality by installing plumbing, electricity hook-ups for trailers and satellite television.

“We just added Wi-Fi,” said Four Seasons manager Tom Landers. “I’ve been talking to the owner of Bare Oaks and both of us feel that this market is in its infancy.”

The pair even discussed launching joint marketing to promote the naturist lifestyle, which Deschenes explains is about being at one with nature and not about being naked.

Reached at Glen Echo, it’s apparent Edward Todorowsky isn’t thrilled about losing the camp.

“I really have to go,” he said. “We only have a short time to move.”

“It’s very short notice. I don’t know how I’m supposed to move everything out of here in a month,” said one member, who has built a permanent cabin on his site that will likely have to be abandoned.

Meanwhile, Glen Echo members are crossing their fingers the deal will still fall through.

“Then – where are any of us supposed to go?”
2009.09.23 / no responses / Category: Nudist News