Seattle police escalate enforcement at Denny Blaine Park

Officers trespass nude sunbather amid ongoing tensions over clothing-optional beach

May 05, 2025

Photo by mom_calls_me_myrtle on Instagram | Source

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers confronted visitors at Denny Blaine Park, a long-standing clothing-optional beach with deep ties to Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. According to reporting by Ashley Nerbovig of The Burner, officers ordered beachgoers to dress and issued a one-week trespass to an individual who refused.

This incident follows a series of escalating tensions at the park. Just over a week ago, a lawsuit was filed by a group of affluent neighbors aiming to curtail nudity at Denny Blaine, citing concerns over public misconduct. Previously, attempts to install a children’s playground near the beach were met with public backlash and ultimately failed.

Witnesses have expressed concern over the police’s interpretation of nudity laws. One user on Bluesky noted, “Seattle police are falsely claiming all nudity is illegal. If neighbors complain, they’re ordering cover-ups and issuing trespass warnings or arrests.”1

SPD’s own guidelines state that public nudity is not illegal unless it involves lewd or obscene behavior. The recent enforcement actions have raised questions about the department’s understanding and application of these laws.

Community members and activists are planning to address these concerns at the upcoming Leschi Community Council meeting. Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes is scheduled to attend the meeting on Wednesday, May 7, at 7:00 PM at Grace United Methodist Church, 722 30th Ave S, Seattle.

Interested in attending the community meeting? RSVP here.

As the situation at Denny Blaine Park continues to develop, the community remains engaged in discussions about the future of the space and the preservation of its inclusive culture. Planet Nude will continue to report on this story as it develops. 🪐