This spring, brown signs with white lettering, reading “Clothing Required,” appeared a few paces east of Cherry Grove’s easternmost staircase to the beach, facing the beach, and just west of the westernmost Fire Island Pines staircase to the beach, facing the walk.
On May 10, I wrote the following email, quoted in full, to John J. Stewart, Chief Ranger of the Fire Island National Seashore (FINS), cc’ing Chris Soller, Superintendent of FINS—in this and the subsequent email, Carrington Tract refers to the land between the Grove and the Pines, once more commonly and fondly known as the Meat Rack, and the beach in question was, until recently, generally and popularly considered clothing optional:

Dear John--& Chris,
Today I saw for myself, for the first time, the new brown-&-white "Clothing Required" signs on the beach, just east of Cherry Grove & west of Fire Island Pines.
My question for you is, does this apply just to the beach south of the Carrington Tract, as has been the policy orally conveyed for a couple of seasons, & will nudity still be permitted on the beaches in front of Cherry Grove & Fire Island Pines?  I'd rather find out from you directly than from a FINS ranger armed with a summons book.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Sincerely,
Bruce-Michael Gelbert
Editor, Fire Island Q News.com
Cherry Grove columnist, Fire Island Tide

On the same day, I received the following email—as did the National Parks Service’s Chris Soller, Elizabeth Rogers, and Kelly Fellner—also quoted in full, from John J. Stewart:

Good afternoon sir,
I hope all is well with you. 
As you know, in 2013 Fire Island National Seashore has been in compliance with the New York State Nudity Law. Since then our approach has been to adapt, educate, and enforce this law fairly and consistently across the island on National Seashore property. The signs you saw are a part of our visitor contact and education approach and applies only to the Carrington Tract federal property. There have been identical signs both at Lighthouse Beach and west of Smith Point.
Although nudity on the beaches of Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines is in violation of the New York State law, U.S. Park Rangers will only educate and enforce this policy on federal property. They will not enforce it in front of any of the communities.   
I hope this information provided some clarity.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Thank you.
John
John J. Stewart
Chief Ranger
Fire Island National Seashore

photo by Bruce-Michael Gelbert

Clothing Required sign west of Fire Island Pines

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