KIRO NEWSRADIO

Seattle considering kids playground at clothing-optional beach

Dec 6, 2023, 8:01 AM

nude beach community...

A photo of Denny Blaine Park in Seattle (Photo: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio)

(Photo: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio)

Seattle Parks and Recreation is looking to add a children’s play area to a local park. Normally, there would be no controversy, but it’s which park that’s causing the problem.

Denny Blaine Park, located in the Madison Park neighborhood on Lake Washington is one of the only nude beaches in Seattle. According to City of Seattle spokesperson Christina Hirsch, Seattle is considering putting a small children’s playground on the northwest corner of the park. The area was identified as needing a play area due to it currently sitting within a neighborhood that doesn’t have a play area or park within a 10-to-15-minute walk.

From Gee & Ursula: Should Seattle consider kids playground at clothing-optional beach?

“This project supports our department mission to increase children’s access to nature and shorelines and address any deficits within our system of lacking active recreational amenities for youth,” Hirsch told KIRO Newsradio.

The park conversion, if passed by the city, would cost half a million dollars, funded by a private donation alongside a minimal cost to taxpayers.

Critics of the change believe it’s a move to get rid of nudity in the park. Denny Blaine has been a clothing-optional beach since the 1980s.

“I say allow nudity,” park-goer Sophie Johnson told KIRO Newsradio. “If people feel comfortable being in the nude, I think it should stay.”

Still, there are plenty of local residents who think adding a play area is a slippery slope.

More from James Lynch: Car dealership etches catalytic converters to prevent theft

“Maybe a different area, a different place for a playground,” another park-goer, Kevin Huff said. “I think preserving how people want to express themselves is a really, important thing. I think it’s kind of a spectrum. There are people who don’t like it and there are people who are totally fine with it, and I think everybody has a right to their own opinion.”

Seattle Parks stated it will gather feedback and provide more information on the plan at its upcoming meeting on the project Dec. 6, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King FAME Community Center.

KIRO Newsradio

B24 - World War II...

Bill Kaczaraba

Jake’s story of his grandfather in World War II honors those on Veterans Day

KIRO Newsradio host Jake Skorheim's grandfather was 19-years-old and the co-pilot of a B-24 shot down in World War II.

2 hours ago

inslee ferry...

Bill Kaczaraba

On KIRO Newsradio, Gov. Jay Inslee points to Climate Commitment Act as a success

Governor Jay Inslee, the longest-serving governor in the United States, expressed pride in the state’s recent achievements.

6 hours ago

Image: Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez can be seen in a recent photo....

KIRO Newsradio and MyNorthwest staff

Democrat Gluesenkamp Perez wins rematch with Kent in 3rd District

Incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez appears close to a victory in a rematch with Republican Joe Kent in Washington's 3rd District.

7 hours ago

Bellevue police investigators want to find the driver of this SUV, who was involved in a hit-and-ru...

Tom Brock

Bellevue police seeking hit-and-run driver involved in serious accident

Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver in a crash that severely injured a woman.

1 day ago

Photo: Seattle City Council member Cathy Moore announced Friday her plan to introduce a similar tax...

Matt Markovich

Seattle council member jumps on capital gains bandwagon, proposes one for city residents

Just days after Washington voters rejected a measure to repeal the statewide capital gains tax, Seattle City Council member Cathy Moore announced Friday her plan to introduce a similar tax for Seattle residents.

3 days ago

Photo: Sound Transit's 1 Line will undergo scheduled maintenance over the weekend closing five stat...

Nate Connors

Weekend traffic: Closures scheduled for Sound Transit’s 1 Line

Sound Transit's 1 Line will undergo scheduled maintenance over the weekend closing five stations between Capitol Hill and SODO.

3 days ago

Seattle considering kids playground at clothing-optional beach