On July 15, King County Superior Court Judge Samuel Chung ruled against neighborhood group Denny Blaine Park for All’s request to ban nudity or fully close down a historically LGBTQIA+ park and beach along Lake Washington. Although Denny Blaine Park will remain open, the judge did grant the group’s request to further abate what its members see as “public nuisance” activities. 

In July 2025, Denny Blaine Park for All’s request for an abatement plan was granted, after homeowners adjacent to the park (including millionaire and QFC founder Stuart Sloan) began witnessing nude beachgoers and alleged sexual acts. In response, the city established a fence between the upper and lower parts of the park, deeming one side as “clothing required” and the other “clothing optional.” Public nudity is legal in the city of Seattle, unless it knowingly causes “reasonable affront or alarm” to others.

Unsatisfied with the results of the initial plan, the group lodged another lawsuit, seeking to either completely ban nudity at the park or close it down entirely. Although both of those requests were denied, Judge Chung ruled that further actions must be taken: the city must “adequately staff the area in and around the park to monitor and to report incidents of inappropriate behavior and compliance,” as well as “adequately maintain the Park grounds, including vegetation, to prevent and discourage lewd behaviors.”

Friends of Denny Blaine, a group that functioned as interveners in the trial, sharing information about the LGBTQIA+ history and significance of the park, said in a statement that they “respectfully disagree with portions of the Court's findings of fact and conclusions of law. In particular, we believe the ruling gives substantial weight to conditions that predate the abatement measures now in place, and does not fully reflect the significant improvements at the park over the past year — improvements the evidence at trial documented."

“We believe that the evidence reflects that the Park is not currently a nuisance and that the Park should ultimately be restored to its full historical status as a fully clothing optional Park. We are reviewing the order carefully and evaluating our next steps.”

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans responded to the ruling in a video, thanking Friends of Denny Blaine for their contributions to the trial. “This is an amazing win,” she said. 

Denny Blaine Park for All has not issued a statement regarding the court’s decision, as of press time.