City not wild about request for nude swim

City not wild about request for nude swim

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Story Published: May 22, 2007 at 11:05 PM PDT

Story Updated: May 22, 2007 at 11:18 PM PDT

By Tracy Vedder

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SEATTLE -- This city is no stranger to occasional clothing-optional events. Every summer there are nude bike rides and fun runs.

But a request from a group of nudists who want to go skinny dipping in Seattle's premiere outdoor pool isn't getting a warm reception from the city.

City parks officials say kids and parents use Lincoln Park, and if they let a group skinny dip in Colman Pool, it could freak some families out.

"Fremont has that naked bike ride so why can't we have the naked swim?" said Heather Guichard.

That's what event organizer Daniel Johnson thinks.

"I don't see it as something that's negative or harmful," he said.

Johnson organizes clothing-optional events all year long. They've even rented indoor city pools for private skinny-dipping parties.

But when the group wanted to take the fun outside, the city said no way.

"Colman Pool is visible from the beach and it's visible from Lincoln Park, so you know it's just not the same situation at all," said Seattle Parks spokeswoman Dewey Potter.

Once the swim season starts, the plywood walls that are around the pool will come down, opening up a gorgeous view to anyone swimming in the pool.

But that also means that anyone walking by outside will see everything that goes on inside.

"We sell sex on TV and music everywhere and then we get all prudish about an optional clothing place or a topless beach," said Jasmine Stark, who is in favor of allowing the naked swim.

Johnson argues that the city permits the naked bike rides, with few complaints. He thinks a Colman Pool skinny dip would be even less offensive to the public.

"They're not gonna be sticking themselves against the window, they're going to be swimming in the pool," he said.

Johnson even offered to post people on the path on either side of the pool to warn people that a "naked event" was happening so they could walk around it if they wanted.

But the city has twice refused his request to authorize the event.

Johnson says he'll keep trying.

"They're not trying to be seen," he said. "They just want to go swimming."

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