Following court win, Seattle Parks gathers input on Denny Blaine rules

The park had a busy summer of events including a visit from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

By Brenna Gauchat
More than 40 Seattleites gathered at the Miller Community Center on Tuesday evening to comment on Seattle Parks and Recreation’s proposed Denny Blaine Park Supplemental Use Guidelines, focusing on protecting its historically recognized LGBTQ+ clothing-optional beach.

The community meeting followed a favorable King County court ruling in July for the City of Seattle and Friends of Denny Blaine, a volunteer group dedicated to protecting the beach. The lawsuit was filed by Denny Blaine Park for All, a neighbor group seeking to prohibit nudity or close the park entirely.

The court ruling included mandatory directives that shape the updated guidelines, which will be implemented once the public comment period closes.

“We just want to be clear that several elements of what we’re proposing in this policy are set by court order and can’t be unilaterally changed by the City,” Justin Hellier, SPR’s Strategic Policy Advisor, said in response to community questions about which regulations in this non-negotiable list may become changeable in the future.

Court-ordered mandates require a map of designated clothing-optional and required areas, accessibility initiatives, and explicit definitions distinguishing legal from illegal behavior on park grounds.

“The City involved Friends of Denny Blaine and received our input on the park’s future. Nearly every proposal Friends of Denny made is reflected in these guidelines, including clarifications on critical language and listing nude recreation as an approved authorized use,” Simon Thornton, President of Friends of Denny Blaine, said about the group’s involvement in the process.

Thornton called the mandates a “major milestone” while offering concrete solutions during public comments to address remaining concerns.

Key issues outside the court order included non-consensual photography from neighboring private properties and measures to prevent sexual, verbal, or physical harassment.

The neighbor group Denny Blaine Park for All has posted images of beachgoers on its website.

SPR noted that regulating private property falls outside its jurisdiction. However, attendees suggested installing higher fences or strategic landscaping to block private views of the beach.

“Add one line to the park signage: ‘Please refrain from nonconsensual photography and video recording of parkgoers’,” Thornton suggested, noting it provides clear boundaries at minimal cost.

Both supporters and opponents agree safety from sexual misconduct — defined by SPR to include indecent exposure, assault, harassment, and lewd acts — is a priority.

Sexual misconduct has always been strictly prohibited at the park.

An attendee opposing relaxed rules shared a personal story of assault at the park, emphasizing the need for increased police or park ranger protection.

Thornton echoed this call, recommending “a single, posted point of contact at the kiosk or signage for parkgoers to report harassment.”

Thornton echoed this sentiment, suggesting, “a single, posted point of contact, at the kiosk or one the signage, for parkgoers to report harassment, so people know where to go when something happens.”

“I was thrilled to learn a place existed where queer folks and others can be in community in a space where nudity is not explicitly sexualized,” another attendee shared.

Hellier assured attendees that while current rules are constrained by the court order, SPR will periodically review the guidelines in the future.

The new guideline review runs parallel to broader community sessions starting late September regarding long-term park investments and improvements.

An online meeting will be held Thursday night:

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

Provide feedback on the proposed Supplemental Use Guidelines:

• Review the draft guidelines here
• Attend one of our community meetings:
  • Tuesday, September 15 at 6 PM at Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave E
  • Online: Thursday, September 17 at 6 PM (Meeting Link)
• Provide comments on our engagement hub from now until October 5. You may submit comments at any time during this period. Please note that the formal 14-day public comment period will begin after the public meetings and is anticipated to run from September 21 through October 5.

Help shape the park’s long-term design:

• If you are interested in taking part in the community design process for a long-term site improvement plan, join us at an open house or take the online survey to share your feedback and connect with the community! Meetings will have no formal design presentation.
  • September 20, from 11 AM – 2 PM at Cal Anderson Shelter House, 1700 11th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
  • September 23, from 4:30 – 6:30 PM at Madrona Shelter House, 917 34th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
• Share your experiences and desires for the space through our online survey that will open on September 20.

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