The Nudest Colony in the Pines

That ain’t a typo

It recently came to my attention that not only was there a nudist campground and beach in the Pine Barrens from the 1930s to the 1980s, but it was founded by a Baptist minister who “became the leader of the nudist movement in America,” according to the linked article in the Philly Inquirer (paywall). The ruins remain, on private property, by an owner who hopes to revive it as an RV Park (clothing required, as far as I can tell).

You won’t be hearing snarky commentary from me about nudists, like they are eccentrics who should be mocked. Because the first trip I took on an airplane as an adult was to visit two friends in California at a nudist trailer park.

For this young college student, it was everything a pulp paperback truck stop spinner rack novel written by Sheldon Lord could promise. (My pal LB used that pseudonym to write a lot of fine mid-century erotica, and thankfully my visit to Glen Eden was not subject to the obscenity laws of that era. You can check out his books at the link.) Like a novel of that era, I will leave the details to your titillated imaginations.

Before that trip, I was shy and would not disrobe in a locker room at school or a gym. Now, heaven help you if you peek over the privacy fence surrounding Playa del Pluck, because you’ll be blinded by my Irish buns as I doggy paddle across the pool. In public, however, I remain discreet. There was a Nude Bike Ride in Philly last week, and I was not tempted to attend. (Which is saying a lot, as I am quickly become a bicycle aficionado). The photo of the event below (work safe) is about what you get at most nudist beaches and resorts: a sausage fest.

Which is why Sunshine Park in the Pine Barrens was an outlier, and depending on who was managing it, it sounded like a little bit of heaven. Single men could not attend without prior approval. Even in the ‘30s, they knew bros could be a problem. Unfortunately, the majority of white nudists were only open-minded about nudity, and not racial equality. Sunshine Park was not specifically segregated, but in 1996 a Black woman was turned away because of her race. Not cool, nudists.

If you don’t mind applying tick repellent in tender places, June 21st is Naked Hiking Day. As Sarah removed a small lone star tick affixed to the back of my knee after my trip with Hannah to Petty’s Island, where I wore shorts and liberally applied Deep Woods Off! spray, I will not be partaking of naked hiking anytime soon. My pool and hot tub have been tick free since I crushed the one suckling my precious bodily fluids, and that’s where my nudism will be contained.

Then again, Gunnison Beach on Sandy Hook at the Jersey Shore is an official nude beach, and I am told that any skeeves who touch their ding-a-lings, or creepos who park in the lot with binoculars, are summarily ejected by the park rangers. I like to imagine these rangers patrolling the beach nude, except for aviator sunglasses and smokey the bear hats, regardless of their gender. (If there was a paperback called The Nudest Park Ranger, I’d buy it.) Swimming in the buff in a saltwater backyard pool is rather nice, but I think the alkaline and sandy nature of the Atlantic would make it less than pleasant.

This could be the book about my first trip to California

If you want to read more about Sunshine Park without subscribing to the excellent Inquirer, this Shore Local News article is free to read. The (intentional?) typo in the URL is what inspired the title of this post! There are a few more photos in this Cat Country 107.3 article, and a whole bunch of photos of what the park looks like today, on the Facebook page of the current owner. As a child of the ‘70s, my favorite picture of the park is from the Philly Inquirer article:

Sunshine Park managers Elaine and Blake Webster in Mays Landing, N.J., in 1979. ©The Philadelphia Inquirer.

I find myself near Mays Landing often on my jaunts into the Pine Barrens, and I might swing by the location of this former park to see what I can see without trespassing. It’s not far from The Hubcap Pyramid, Estell Manor Park, B.L. England Generating Station, and Sugar Hill Subs, and Funny Farm animal rescue, so I may make a day trip of it.

Until then, I’ll be enjoying the last days of summer at Playa del Pluck!

and Happy Labor Day to all who celebrate. The Super Blue Moon was gorgeous on Friday morning, and here it is, setting above the Taint Hammer. Which only touches me through a pair of cycling shorts!