Warmington used social media to express her outrage, Monday, tweeting using the hashtags #girlsshamefree #dblstandard #guelphshamesgirls.

Kristene Scott, general manager of the Guelph Parks and Recreation department stands by the policy.

"Although it's legal for anyone to be topless in the public realm, when participating in city recreation programs or using supervised or enclosed recreational facilities, we require them to wear bathing tops," she said.

"We want everyone to be able to enjoy our recreational facilities and we respect the rights and freedoms of people visiting and working in our recreational centres," she continued.

Scott said the city also wants to ensure that lifeguards are not put in an uncomfortable position if they need to touch someone to save them.

She said the policy has been in place for a few years and is laid out in the city's community guide.

The guide states: "For the protection of all participants and staff, females ages four and older must wear a bathing top in City of Guelph enclosed or fenced pools."

"We believe that there is a bona fide need to balance the needs of patrons and staff, some of which may object if girls or women over the age of four are allowed to be topless," Scott added.

"The city has even gone as far to introduce new swim times for women who can't even be in the same pool as men at the same time, We're trying to balance everybody's needs so that everybody is comfortable."

Marion Gruner, a friend of Warmington's and the mother of a four-year-old daughter, calls the policy "antiquated and backwards.

"My reaction, I think, was compounded by what's been going on lately around shaming girls. There's been a lot of discussion around school policies and what acceptable attire is for girls," Gruner said.

Such policies send a message to young girls that "their bodies are somehow provocative and shameful and should be covered," she added.

mwarren@guelphmercury.com