Local
Middletown council ends consideration of clothing-optional section at Third Beach
The Town Council voted unanimously against sending a Newport resident’s request for a clothing-optional area at Third Beach to the town’s Beach Commission. Council members said the proposal did not fit the beach’s family-friendly character.
Middletown’s Town Council voted unanimously Thursday, Oct. 22, against referring a proposal for a clothing-optional area at Third Beach to the town’s Beach Commission, ending consideration of the request for now.
Newport resident Jay Michelson asked councilors to consider setting aside part of the beach for clothing-optional use. “I think it would be very nice for those of us who dare not to be clothed,” he told the council.
Council members said Third Beach is a family-friendly destination and the proposal was not a direction they wanted the town to pursue.
Residents interviewed about the idea expressed differing views. Kevin Roderick said he was “never against more freedom.” Kameron Cole-Kilroy said Rhode Island needs a nude beach, though he would not use one himself. Others opposed the proposal, including Alan Cassiday, who said he did not think a nude beach would be appropriate for young children and families. Sean Spellman argued that people should be less concerned about nudity and cited the presence of nude beaches in parts of Europe.
Rhode Island previously had a clothing-optional area at Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown. It closed in 1988 after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service restricted public access during parts of the year to protect nesting habitat for the endangered piping plover.
No clothing-optional area is planned at Third Beach under the council’s decision.