Sun Valley Gardens

Sun Valley Gardens (SVG) was a nudist club that existed from 1954 to 1982 in Pelham, Ontario, Canada (the Niagara Falls region).[1] The property was a 10-hectare (25-acre) site between the communities of North Pelham and Pelham Union, 8 km (5 miles) north of Fenwick.[2] Just two years in, a number of facilities had already been built by the members.[3]

In 1961, Sun Valley Gardens was used as one of the locations for a Canadian exploitation drama movie, Have Figure, Will Travel, directed by Leo Orenstein, with club owner Karl Ruehle acting as an advisor to the movie and playing a bit part.[4]

SVG had a significant impact on Ontario's nudist/naturist scene. Almost every existing club in Southern Ontario (and a few that have since closed) in some way owe their existence to former members of SVG. The reason that so many left to start their own club is that Ruehle was known as a particularly autocratic and tight-fisted individual.[1] But Ruehle was very supportive of those who wanted to start their own club. He even ran an "indoctrination school for prospective camp operators".[5]

References
  1. Woycke, J. (2003). "Au Naturel — The History of Nudism in Canada". Federation of Canadian Naturists. Etobicoke, Ontario: Federation of Canadian Naturists. ISBN 0-9682332-3-6.
  2. Karl Ruehle, "Sun Valley Gardens", Sunbathing for Health, June 1957, p. 28-29.
  3. Sunbathing for Health, March 1957, pp. 18-19
  4. Canuxploitation.com review of Have Figure, Will Travel
  5. 1965 Sunbathing Annual, p.54
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