Seattle extends early closure time at Alki Beach through September
Jul 9, 2021, 12:34 PM
Alki Beach Park in Seattle. (Photo by TIA International Photography, courtesy of Seattle Parks and Recreation/Flickr)
(Photo by TIA International Photography, courtesy of Seattle Parks and Recreation/Flickr)
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has announced that Alki Beach will continue to close early through the rest of the summer months.
Through Sept. 12, 2021, Alki Beach will close daily at 10 p.m. instead of 11:30 p.m., and will reopen as normal at 4:30 a.m. Fires must be put out by 9:30 p.m.
The goal of closing early is to mitigate illegal activity at the beach during the busy summer months. According to a press release, Alki Beach has experienced an increase in public safety issues, including acts of violence, excessive noise violations, illegal fires, and unpermitted events.
Alki Beach cleared out after fights, arrests
SPR has already implemented strategies to discourage illegal behaviors, including public education through its website and social media resources, sandwich-board signs at the park, and two electronic reader-boards stating that fires are only allowed in authorized firepits and must be out by 9:30 p.m. There are also five staff members now on the beach nightly who remind visitors of the fire rules, monitor the noise level, pick up litter, and clean and restock restrooms.
Additionally, SPR notes that they are in close communication with the Seattle Police Department “regarding efforts to enforce laws and prevent illegal behaviors.”
Parks and Recreation closed the beach early during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and report that the move received positive community feedback.
The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.
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