A coalition of homeowners filed suit Wednesday in King County Superior Court, alleging that city officials have allowed Denny Blaine Park to devolve into “a regional venue for criminal and uncivil behavior.” The plaintiffs demand either increased patrols or closure of the lakefront green space, and assert the city has breached its duty by permitting repeated public indecency incidents.
According to the complaint, residents have documented near-daily occurrences of public masturbation and other lewd acts—sometimes captured on video—in broad daylight. Plaintiffs claim meetings with Mayor Bruce Harrell, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, and Parks Superintendent AP Diaz have failed to halt the behavior. Yet, the city budgeted funds last year for what was described on Seattle Parks Department’s website as “public masturbation deterrent infrastructure,” language that city staff now say was part of an early project proposal and has since been removed.
Nearby resident testimony underscores the severity of the issue. One plaintiff described the distress of discovering people performing sexual acts within view of homes. Another, a longtime neighbor, emphasized that the lawsuit represents a last resort after repeated, unsuccessful pleas for enforcement of existing laws.
Court records and charging documents cited in the suit detail multiple arrests this winter, including a Tacoma man apprehended for public masturbation on March 4 and another individual arrested after committing similar acts on February 24. In one case, surveillance footage reportedly showed a man scouting private residences while partially undressed.
Homeowners stress the distinction between permissible public nudity under state law and criminal lewd conduct. They argue that unchecked indecent exposure—coupled with issues like illegal parking and drug use—has transformed the park into a public-safety hazard.
City officials maintain that Denny Blaine Park remains generally safe. In a statement, Mayor Harrell’s office highlighted efforts to boost enforcement of lewd-conduct laws, expand park-ranger patrols, improve signage and parking regulation, and address maintenance concerns. Councilmember Hollingsworth affirmed that closing the park is not under consideration, and that Seattle Parks and Recreation will begin broader community engagement on planned improvements in late 2025, with work anticipated in 2027.
As the lawsuit moves forward, the court will weigh whether the city’s response measures satisfy its obligation to keep public spaces safe and welcoming for all visitors.
