Seattle sued over nudist park as city considers creating ‘masturbation deterrent infrastructure’

The plaintiffs allege the City of Seattle and its Department of Parks and Recreation have failed to protect the public interest, accusing them of creating and sustaining a public nuisance and breaching their fiduciary duty to residents. They cited a long pattern of ignored warnings, lewd behavior, and inaction on the incidents.

Rather than shutting the park or boosting enforcement, the City of Seattle is soliciting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for what it calls “public masturbation deterrent infrastructure” as part of a $500,000 improvement project. The exact nature of this infrastructure remains unclear, but it has sparked ridicule and outrage among residents who view it as a symbolic, ineffective gesture.

In a document from May 2024, the Parks Department listed Denny Blaine as one of 15 projects in the latest budget cycle and requested access improvements and planning with specific language about deterring public lewdness. Critics argue this approach does little to curb the root issues or restore safety.

Denny Blaine Park, located in an affluent waterfront neighborhood, gained notoriety in recent years as an unofficial nude beach. Though nudity is legal in Washington State parks if not deemed lewd or aggressive, neighbors say the park’s reputation has changed, attracting men who allegedly travel from outside Seattle to masturbate in public and commit other sex acts.

“It is now a regional venue for criminal and uncivil behavior that includes public masturbation, public sex, and other types of indecent exposure, drug use, unlawful public nudity, environmental damage to the shoreline, and scofflaw parking that prevents fire trucks and ambulances from reaching neighborhood homes,” the complaint states.

In one incident highlighted in the lawsuit, a naked man reportedly lay on his back and knelt on the hood of his car, exposing himself to passersby for six hours. In another, a woman working nearby said she had seen 13 different men masturbating in the park over the last 15 months, including some repeat offenders.

The complaint describes aggressive and explicit behavior, including nudity directed at parkgoers, harassment of women, and exposure to children. In a disturbing case from early 2025, two teen girls were reportedly approached by a man who exposed himself and urinated in front of them. The same man, whose vehicle was illegally blocking their driveway, allegedly spat in the face of someone who tried to intervene, the complaint stated.

The park’s status as a nudist destination has also become politically sensitive due to its popularity among LGBTQ community members. In 2023, after a neighbor donated funds to build a playground at the park, believing it might discourage nudity, the plan was met with accusations of anti-LGBTQ intent. Mayor Bruce Harrell eventually shelved the project, further frustrating some nearby residents.

The lawsuit claims the city’s reluctance to act is driven by fear of political backlash rather than concern for public safety. “The failure and refusal…to protect the public interest” is central to the legal filing, which names Mayor Harrell, Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth, and Parks Superintendent AP Diaz as parties aware of the ongoing crisis.

One neighbor told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI Radio, “Many local residents can’t go to the beach anymore because of the hardcore nudity. For example, my boys are scared of the 'penis jewelry.'"

In response to media inquiries, Mayor Harrell’s office emphasized recent efforts to improve conditions, including increasing park rangers from 2 to 28, enhancing litter pickup, boosting SPD enforcement of lewd conduct laws, and restoring signage and portable toilet access.

“The mayor has consistently stated that while individuals have a right to be nude at parks under state law, no one has the right to commit lewd, illegal, and unwanted sexual conduct at our parks,” the mayor’s office said in a statement to KOMO News.

Despite these assurances, residents remain unconvinced. The lawsuit includes video evidence and dates of multiple incidents, alleging that public sex acts occur year-round and are increasing with warmer weather.