7/01
My husband and I recently spent a weekday at Sandy Point State Park near Annapolis, Maryland. Despite being a weekday, the beach was pretty crowded. When we arrived, we asked a lifeguard what the "real world" topfree policy was (we knew what the official policy was) and he said that women have indeed been going topfree through the summer - mostly foreign tourists - and that those who do so on the main family part of the beach usually eventually get asked by a park ranger to cover up. He said anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. We asked what the worst thing that would happen to a woman sunbathing topfree and he shrugged and said a ranger would most likely simply ask the woman to cover up, though rangers do have the power to write a ticket. Sandy Point Beach, however, has two portions of beach to the north and south where he said it would be easiest to go topfree without receiving a "warning" or being asked to cover up. We chose the south end, which was pretty comical because it is right in the shadow of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. During the two hours I spent topfree, thousands of cars must have gone by. Hey...whatever. Anyway, as the lifeguard indicated, nobody complained and no rangers came to ask me to cover up, even though people regularly walked by on their ways down the beach. A few glances...but that was it. I suspect it might be a little different on weekends, when the crowd spills out onto these removed stretches. Before leaving, we went over to take a peek at the north portion of the beach, which is even more removed from the crowd and the lifeguards/rangers (therefore no swimming allowed) and saw two women laying topfree on their stomachs and a mother with her kids sitting out topfree. The mother seemed totally at ease, and looked to have spent the entire day topfree. More power to her! The women on their fronts sat up a couple times to talk and get things out of their bags, but put their tops back on to turn over. Overall, Sandy Point seems to be one of those places where, if done discreetly, topfree sunbathing is okay and won't attract the attention of the officials. No guarantees, of course, but it's a beautiful, laid back place and everybody seemed to just be there to enjoy themselves. Still, how long until we don't have to play these silly games?
--Kate, Salisbury, Maryland
5/01
I decided to check out Sandy Point State Park (MD) on the Chesapeake Bay in May. It seems like a large draw for families, both local and out of state. The place was swarming with small children. I didn't notice a single topfree woman during the 4 or 5 hours I was there, even at the few spots that were kind of out-of-the-way. I didn't feel it would have been appropriate to remove my top, with all of the kids running around.
--Nancy, York, Pennsylvania
2/01
For the last two years in spring and summer I've gone to Sandy Point State Park, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay. It is less than an hour from the Wash., DC area and maybe closer for Baltimore. Take Route 50 past Annapolis and look for a sign, exiting right, just before the Bay Bridge. There is a modest charge of 2 or 3 dollars per person. Park in the large second lot on the right. The beach is long, but lifeguards are mainly around the changing facilities. We always go left, walking down to a large crescent of the beach near a grove of trees. The crowd is a mix of couples, singles and families. I've been topless there most of the time, even just to get started on a tan when the water is still cold.
Some single guys do look, but if you come with girlfriends or others, there are not any hassles. The lifeguards don't say anything if you are obviously just there to enjoy the day like everyone else.
--Carole Anne, Washington DC