Lawsuit

The lawsuit was focused on unlawful conduct and the City’s responsibility for allowing a public park to become a public nuisance. The goal is to ensure the Park functions as a shared public space where everyone can access the water without encountering behavior that would not be permitted in any other city park or on any private property.

The case prompted action early-on. A judge directed the City to take steps to address conditions at the Park, including nudity, which led to the City installing an illegal barrier separating the upper park from the waterfront so that nudity, and the accompanying public sex, could continue at the beach.

UPDATE: Issued July 16, 2026, the King County Superior Court ruled that Park conditions constitute a public nuisance and has granted a permanent injunction against the City of Seattle. The decision orders the City to take concrete steps to improve conditions at the Park that have long prevented many Seattle residents from fully and safely enjoying the Park. Denny Blaine Park for All views this ruling as a victory for every Seattle resident who believes our public parks should be safe, welcoming, and accessible to all.