A King County Superior Court judge has ruled that conditions and ongoing unlawful activity at Seattle's Denny Blaine Park constitute a public nuisance.
A King County Superior Court judge has ruled that conditions and ongoing unlawful activity at Seattle's Denny Blaine Park constitute a public nuisance, ordering the city to take steps to improve safety and accessibility at the waterfront park.
The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Denny Blaine Park for All, a coalition of neighborhood residents and community members who argued that persistent lewd conduct and other illegal activity prevented many people from safely using the park. In its decision, the court issued a permanent injunction requiring the city to take concrete steps to address conditions at the park. The judge declined to order the park closed.
In a statement Thursday, the coalition called the ruling "a significant legal milestone" and said it confirms that public parks should be safe, welcoming and accessible to everyone. The group emphasized the lawsuit was not directed at the LGBTQ+ community or aimed at excluding anyone from using the park. Instead, it said the case focused on unlawful conduct that interfered with public access.
According to the court's findings, ongoing nudity and lewd conduct substantially interfered with nearby residents' use and enjoyment of their properties. The judge also found that the city's actions and inaction contributed to the public nuisance. Among the court's findings were that Seattle Parks and Recreation employees were instructed not to confront people engaging in lewd conduct, not to collect photo or video evidence, and to remain in their vehicles.
The ruling also cited Seattle Police Department data showing Denny Blaine Park generated the highest number of police calls related to lewd conduct compared with other areas. The court further found the city treated complaints from Denny Blaine Park differently because of concerns about bias complaints and potential lawsuits, and that the city attorney's office did not actively prosecute those cases. The judge concluded that the city's actions and omissions created an environment that attracted people engaging in unlawful conduct.
Instead, Denny Blaine Park for All said it hopes the ruling will allow the city, neighborhood residents, and park users to work together to implement the court's order and restore public confidence in the park. Yesterday's decision is a victory for every Seattle resident who believes our public parks should be safe, welcoming and accessible to everyone," coalition spokesperson Lee Keller said in a statement.
"We appreciate the Court's careful review of the evidence and its recognition that the conditions at Denny Blaine Park constitute a public nuisance. We look forward to working constructively with the City to ensure the Court's order is fully implemented so this remarkable public park can once again be enjoyed by everyone.
The coalition thanked neighbors, community members, and park users who testified during the trial and said it hopes the ruling marks the beginning of a new chapter for the park. Editor's note: This story reflects the plaintiffs' statement following the court's ruling. The City of Seattle has not yet responded in this version of the story. Its response should be included for balance if available.
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