(Image: Seattle Parks)
(Image: Seattle Parks)
Seattle Park says it will not move forward with a proposal shaping a new nude and neighbor-friendly policy for Denny Blaine Park that would have created two zones across the public space on the shores of Lake Washington. But its efforts to improve the popular sunbathing spot will continue with help from neighbors and the growing Friends of Denny Blaine community group.
“We appreciate all members of the community for providing feedback and heartfelt thoughts about Denny Blaine Park—our parks system is made better by the engagement and advocacy of residents and users,” Seattle Parks and Rec said in its announcement. “Through the community engagement process it became clear that the suggested guidelines were already covered under existing Parks Code.”
CHS reported here on the proposal that would have split the park across Zone A near the water where visitors are invited to enjoy the space with or without a swimsuit ,and Zone B around the park’s entrance where visitors are asked to wear clothing or, at least, a towel. The parks department said comment regarding the proposed “supplemental use guidelines” for Denny Blaine closed on June 6th and that feedback did not line up with codifying nudity in the beach park popular in nudist and queer communities.
The decision on the policy follows a victory last year as hundreds of supporters won the right to “Keep Denny Blaine Nude,” pushing back on a misguided attempt by Seattle Parks to add a children’s play area at the popular clothing optional hangout on the shores of Lake Washington. CHS reported in December as the parks department backed off a plan to add the children’s play area paid for by an anonymous donor amid massive public outcry.
In its statement this week on dropping the supplemental policy plan, Seattle Parks says there will be new efforts to improve the park put forward out of the feedback process.
The department says one of the most positive outcomes from the process has been its formal recognition of the community group Friends of Denny Blaine as advocates for community use of the park.
“This queer-led group, including park users of all walks of life and clothing-level choices, has served an important role in advocating for specific park improvements that park users would like to see,” the Seattle Parks and Rec announcement said.
“The Friends of Denny Blaine are looking forward to continuing practical work as a group and with Seattle Parks and Recreation–caring for the park we all love and helping it better serve parkgoers,” group co-leads Colleen Kimseylove and Sophie Amity Debs said in a statement included in the announcement.
“Among other projects, we’re currently pursuing community-driven solutions to make folks feel more welcome at the park, working to make safety improvements on the stairway and better access park-wide, replacing the invasive and thorny blackberries, and pursuing a variety of solutions to alleviate parking and transportation issues,” the group says. “The only qualification for being a Friend of Denny Blaine is loving this park; if you want to be a part of the efforts to steward the park, please reach out!”
You can learn more at friendsofdennyblaine.org.
Parks says it plans to fund the improvements to the park’s staircases including upper landings, handrails, and path improvements over the next year.
The Friends group also submitted an idea to SPR’s Parks Community Fund to develop an overall site improvement plan “incorporating accessibility improvements and a long-term plan for the park including the study of the potential for additional parking and restrooms” that is moving forward.
In the meantime, summer is coming and these are some of the best times to visit the park. The Friends group will be holding a Sober Pride Picnic at the park this Saturday, June 15th.
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