Seattle's nude beach fight turns topless
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Photo: Courtesy of the City of Seattle
The latest volley in the long-running battle over a historically nude Seattle beach comes down to a new question: Is topless sunbathing allowed in the clothing-required section?
The big picture: It's the latest development in a very Seattle clash — a cheeky gathering space with deep LGBTQ+ roots versus lakefront locals pushing for more modest rules.
State of play: Denny Blaine Park, on Lake Washington, has functioned for decades as a place to literally let it all hang out, but tensions between park users and neighbors have flared for years.
The latest: Friends of Denny Blaine, a group representing clothing-optional park patrons, filed a motion Monday asking a judge to clarify that topless sunbathing is allowed in the "clothing required" section.
- The group argues toplessness isn't banned under the city's rules but is being treated that way by private security hired by nearby homeowners.
- Those guards "continuously direct parkgoers to put on a top and report it as a violation to the police," the motion states.
- A 2025 court order was aimed at "nakedness associated with public sex acts and masturbation" — not mere toplessness, the group argues.
The motion also argues banning toplessness could violate gender equality laws.
Catch up quick: The motion stems from a conflict that first erupted in 2023, with a proposal to build a children's playground at the site, widely seen as a way to limit nudity.
- The project — backed by $1 million from an anonymous donor later identified as nearby property owner Stuart Sloan — sparked mass backlash, including a packed public meeting and thousands of petition signatures.
- The city ultimately scrapped the playground plan in December 2023.
The fight shifted to the courts in 2025 when neighbors sued the city, alleging public sex, drug use and other illegal activity had turned the park into a public nuisance.
- Nudity itself is legal in Seattle, though lewd or obscene conduct is not, per the Seattle Police Department.
- A King County judge ruled a few months later that nudity at the park — alongside lewd behaviors — was likely contributing to a public nuisance.
- He ordered the city to address the issue, and the city responded by creating separate "clothing optional" and "clothing required" zones, adding fencing, signage and increased enforcement.
- A judge later allowed the park to remain open at least through this spring.
What's next: The motion is scheduled to be heard on May 1.