THE NATURIST LEGACY FILES

Crocus Grove — Our History

Forty years ago, the vision of one man to create a place where families could enjoy social nudism began. It would lead to what has become the most successful and longest owner run nudist club in Canada. This is the story of Crocus Grove — the place, and the people.

Leon Prucyk delivered papers for the Winnipeg Free Press. His pickup point had naturist magazines from Europe on display. Reading them gave him an interest in social nudism. He and his wife Evelyn and their children joined the local Manitoba Outdoor Club, whose members enjoyed swimming in the nude at a friend's lakeside cottage at Beaconia beach. Passing motor boats eventually made this difficult to enjoy au naturel so Leon decided to look for something more suitable. He dreamed of a place close to where he lived and worked in Winnipeg where families could go to enjoy social nudism, so he began to plan how to realize that dream.

In 1969, after a lot of searching, Leon found a 60 acre heavily wooded property on a high sandy ridge with pine trees bowing in the wind, the fresh scent of pine in the air and squirrels running about. It was an hour's drive north of Winnipeg. The trees provided a good screen from curious eyes and there was an all weather sand trail road.

Initially the idea was to have a nudist facility that would be a co-operative with the participation of four other couples who had followed Leon from the Manitoba Outdoor Club. However, the economics of the times made the co-op idea uncertain, so, rather than lose out on the property Leon and Evelyn took out a bank loan and purchased the property themselves. Evelyn named it Crocus Grove because of the many Crocuses that grew in amongst the trees.

In June of 1969 Leon applied for a charter for Crocus Grove, with Sunny Chinooks acting as the sponsor. In August of that year the American Association for Nude Recreation, (at the time it was called the American Sunbathing Association (ASA)), granted the Prucyks a charter for their clothing optional club.

For the first few years there were no buildings, running water or electricity, so Leon charged no fees. Fees were started around 1973.

By 1971, Leon and John S. had cut a road all the way into the property and a fence had been erected to keep out curiosity seekers and wandering livestock from neighboring farms. Ivan helped Leon dig a well by hand. There was a toilet and the beginnings of a volleyball court. Members pooled their money and purchased a 24 foot diameter above-ground pool.

Plans were made to recruit new members and for construction of more facilities.

One member, Carl, was a first year apprentice bricklayer so he worked on the construction of the first building on the grounds, the sauna building, in 1973. Leon supplied the materials and some of the other members lent a hand with the construction, working in the hot summer sun mixing mortar and laying cement blocks. It was the Club's fourth year.

In 1976 an in-ground pool replaced the above-ground one. It was a big project that saw practically everyone take a turn at helping in one way or another.

Cottages began to be built. Membership had grown to about 100 adults plus their children.

In the spring of 1977, while they were in Winnipeg shopping, Leon and Evelyn's cottage was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground. They rebuilt it that summer. The club house was constructed at the same time and had a dining room, second floor lounge, and small kitchen. The sauna building continued to be used for showers and washrooms.

Leon kept fees low for members. He felt it was more important for people to be able to enjoy social nudism than to make a lot of money by charging higher fees. To Leon, the important thing was that as many people as possible enjoy the naturist lifestyle. In 1980, an unserviced lot rented for $25 and a serviced one for $30.

Crocus Grove's family-oriented atmosphere and affordable rates attracted many families, and the shouts and laughter of children enjoying the pool or children's play area could be heard echoing throughout the campground on sunny summer days.

The laid back atmosphere was interspersed with a wide range of social activities: pot luck suppers, camp fire sing-alongs, nude Olympics, the annual chili cook off, games nights, cribbage tournaments, wine and cheese, an annual Irish party, theme dances, wiener and corn roasts and of course, volleyball. Volleyball has remained a passion with the membership. Trophies have been won for volleyball tournaments at AANR and WCANR (now AANR Western Canadian Region) conventions and are displayed in the clubhouse.

Other sports that have become part of life at Crocus Grove include badminton, mini golf, croquet, horseshoes, and shuffleboard. There's also table tennis and a recent addition, Bocce ball. Ladder golf was introduced a few years ago by Harry and is slowly gaining attention.

The long, cold Manitoba winters don't prevent members from getting together. In recent years a bowling night, a roast beef dinner evening and a February breakfast have been planned and were very well attended. Volleyball at a local community center has been added. Unfortunately, all events are textile but they enable people to stay connected until spring.

After a long struggle with cancer, Leon died in 2005. The loss of the Club's founder and champion of nudism was a very difficult time for the Club.

A co-op, formed with the intention of buying the campground from Evelyn, proved unworkable and became a divisive force among members. In 2007 members Ray and Sue made an offer to purchase which was accepted. It was their intention to keep Crocus Grove a nudist resort.

For forty years people from diverse backgrounds have come together at Crocus Grove to enjoy the naturist lifestyle with its many benefits, while engaging in sports and social activities. Over the years, members have come and gone. Some have moved on to other interests, others have died. Yet each one has brought something to Crocus Grove that has helped make it the special place that it is.

Crocus Grove has survived two fires, the death of its founder, a failed attempt at a co-op, and the sale of the property. It has shown the power of a dream and what people can accomplish when they work together.

Our history is about Crocuses and buildings but that's only part of it. Our history is also about the community that we've built over forty years. Over those years, Crocus Grove has shown the strength and beauty of community through a group of people who have lived the nudist philosophy of acceptance, tolerance and care for each other. What Crocus Grove expresses so well in its members is also part of our history and what we celebrate today.

SOURCE: This historical account (substantially abridged) was written in 2009 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Crocus Grove Sun Club. The author chose to remain anonymous. Read the full text of "Crocus Grove — Our History" (PDF).

Visit The Crocus Grove Files for a much deeper look into their history.