By PHILIP LEE-SHANOK -- Toronto Sun Topless advocate Katrin Kreutzberg's
promised appearance at Wonderland was a bust yesterday, but family values advocates
popped up urging the park to ban nudity.
The Mississauga mom had planned to show up at the amusement park's Splashworks
water park after she claimed she was asked by security to leave last week.
Despite a 1996 appeal court ruling allowing women to go topless in Ontario,
Kreutzberg said she was "intimidated and harassed" after basking without
a bikini top in the wading pool with her seven-year-old son.
CLAIM DENIED
Park management has denied Kreutzberg was asked to leave and has said she
is welcome back anytime.
"We've taken our position on this. There's nothing left to say,"
spokesman Bruce MacKenzie said.
A few dozen protesters picketed the park entrance warning customers they may
be unwillingly subjected to bare breasts.
"The way it stands now, any day is topless day at Wonderland," said
Brian Chiasson of the Family Action Council, one of the protest's sponsors.
The group handed out leaflets to motorists entering the park that read "Celebrate
the Family. Ban Nudity and Buggery at Wonderland."
INTENSE INTEREST
"We're just saying: 'This is what's happening. You are forewarned,'"
Chiasson said, adding the group is also against the planned Gay Day at Wonderland
on Aug. 8.
But Kreutzberg was a no-show yesterday, despite intense media and public interest.
"I've been asked by at least 20 people whether she's here," a security
officer said.
Sunbathers near the wave pool weren't so sure the park was the appropriate
place to test the topless rule.
"Even if I had them, I wouldn't show them," joked Kimberly Cullingham,
32, of Newmarket. "It's okay at the cottage or the beach, but this is a family
park."
Jose Felgueiras, 38, and his wife, Anna, agreed bare breasts are not what
park guests want to see.
"People pay big bucks to come here. Maybe it's okay at Wasaga where if
you're offended you can leave, but not here. Not after you've paid $41," Felgueiras
said.