Seattle beach curfews start at Alki, Golden Gardens Memorial Day weekend
SEATTLE - Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled a new summer safety strategy Wednesday to reduce crime and enhance security in Seattle’s parks and public spaces.
The initiative, guided by public input and city data, comes ahead of peak summer activity and follows recent violent incidents in Seattle.
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"While violent crime has been trending in the right direction so far this year, the recent violence in Pioneer Square shows that we cannot let our guard down," Harrell said in a statement. "This summer safety strategy represents a coordinated One Seattle approach to ensure our parks and public spaces are inviting, welcoming spaces for everyone."
The plan includes increased police patrols, a larger presence of park rangers, environmental improvements and updated park hours — all designed to make public areas safer and more enjoyable for residents and visitors.
Keep reading to learn more about the mayor's safety plan and the changes that go into effect at local parks and beaches this Memorial Day weekend.
Enhanced police, ranger presence
Key to the plan is expanded law enforcement presence in high-traffic areas, including Alki Beach, Golden Gardens, Cal Anderson, Magnuson, and Seward parks.
Police patrols will be deployed proactively, and parking enforcement will be increased to target hotspots for illegal activity and nuisance behavior.
Park rangers will also play a larger role this summer, acting as safety officers and community liaisons. They will be supported by the Seattle City Attorney’s Office in enforcing park codes and issuing trespass warnings, addressing noise complaints and dealing with unauthorized vendors.
Summer safety plans at Alki Beach
Summer safety plans were revealed at a packed Alki Community Council meeting on Thursday.
Environmental design, park access changes
To deter illegal behavior and enhance public safety, the city will implement "Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design" (CPTED) principles. This includes installing new lighting, trimming overgrown vegetation, locking restrooms overnight and placing physical barriers to curb reckless driving in park lots.
New gates and signage will enforce seasonal park hours, with park closures starting over Memorial Day weekend. Permanent summer hours at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens will now be 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., following a successful multi-year pilot.
Adapting strategy based on community needs
Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent AP Diaz emphasized that these safety measures reflect the city’s commitment to maintaining safe, inclusive spaces.
"We are making these limited hours permanent during the summer months … to better manage park activities and prioritize public safety," Diaz said in a statement.
Police Chief Shon F. Barnes added that the strategy "aims at transforming our parks into safe, vibrant spaces for all of Seattle, especially for families and children."
The city will continue evaluating the effectiveness of the summer safety strategy throughout the season, adapting its approach to respond to evolving challenges and feedback from the public.
Beachgoers relax in the soft sand at Alki Beach in West Seattle, Wash. (FOX 13 Seattle)
Supporting broader city initiatives
The summer plan builds on work by the Downtown Activation Team to revitalize Seattle’s core neighborhoods and complements the Unified Care Team’s efforts to address unauthorized encampments and keep public areas clean and accessible.
Seattle’s parks are expected to see high foot traffic as temperatures rise and residents gather to enjoy seasonal events, making these safety enhancements critical to a positive summer experience citywide.
The Source: Information in this story came from an Office of the Mayor blog post and FOX 13 Seattle original reporting.
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