Left a love lock at Duwamish Head? Go get it before it’s gone

Thanks to Lynda B for texting the photo this evening – first we’ve heard that Seattle Parks is planning to remove the “love locks” that have turned up on the fence at Duwamish Head. They’re a tradition in some spots around the world – even other spots in the city – but we’ve only noticed them here relatively recently. The sign says they’ll be removed on Friday, so if you have one you’d like to retrieve (and you didn’t throw away the key!), better go get it. We’ll check with Parks tomorrow to find out why they’ve decided to remove the love locks.

Joe Szilagyi September 16, 2015 (9:54 pm)

Would you mind doing a follow up with the rationale for the removal? I never had heard of this until a trip to Poland when I saw the Tumski Bridge in Wroclaw, which is from my understanding one of the main places that the practice began. It was kind of awe inspiring. Photo:
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http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/lovers-padlocks-tumski-bridge-over-north-branch-oder-rver-also-known-as-where-leave-symbolizing-54512906.jpg
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That doesn’t even do it credit. The locks are EVERYWHERE. Thousands and thousands? I couldn’t even tell. It was impressive. I’m baffled at the harm this small number here are causing.

WSB September 16, 2015 (10:27 pm)

Joe – I am definitely contacting Parks in the morning to ask.

Ray September 16, 2015 (10:00 pm)

Good. They are an eyesore and not good for the area.

Where this activity has taken hold, entire structures have been marred by these which in this case would negatively impact the view.

Not all locks are waterproof/rustproof and those will slowly rust on the fence and leave residue there and on the ground/sidewalk. And if too many show up they can start to impact the integrity of the structure by causing components to rust out quicker when the locks rub against existing paint and metal.

KBear September 16, 2015 (10:08 pm)

Just another form of vandalism. Sad that Seattle Parks has to expend precious resources dealing with this.

carole September 16, 2015 (10:30 pm)

They are removing them in Paris because of structural concerns.

LyndaB September 16, 2015 (11:17 pm)

I saw them in Paris and the sheer amount clinging on the fences was amazing but I got to tell you I didn’t want them here. We don’t need to copy that. There were vendors selling all types of locks nearby and they even had engraving services. When I was there last year, I did see a bridge closed for lock removal.

No Locks September 17, 2015 (3:35 am)

Good, I was hoping someone would remove these ugly locks. It is a pretty stupid romantic gesture and is a type of vandalism. If I had a bolt cutter I would’ve done it myself sooner!

Jason September 17, 2015 (7:55 am)

hahah if only this person had a bolt cutter we’d have been free from these pesky locks some time ago. You must have often walked by with so much frustration “argh if only I had a bolt cutter!”

sc September 17, 2015 (7:56 am)

Maybe they should start a used chewing gum wall!

Gatehood September 17, 2015 (2:27 pm)

Bah humbug, you haters! :-) I thought they were sweet and romantic… I was planning on putting a lock there with my wife for an anniversary. Bummer!

Lynn September 17, 2015 (2:37 pm)

If you think a rusty lock on chain-link fencing is sweet and romantic, I know some alleys you might like. But please don’t do this to public property.

unknown September 17, 2015 (3:29 pm)

OMG we have so many snobby people living here in WS!

Cait September 17, 2015 (4:46 pm)

Dear god no one hates a good time like West Seattle.

Ray September 17, 2015 (5:27 pm)

Littering and defacement of public property is not a “good time”.

Dawn September 17, 2015 (5:37 pm)

A few locks might be cute and romantic, but hundreds are not. The locks removed in Paris weighed in collectively at 45 TONS. That is a lot of extra weight, and compromises the safety and integrity of the structure. And then there’s the rust factor others have pointed out. There’s a gazillion other ways to express your love. Be creative.

Gatewooder September 17, 2015 (5:44 pm)

I wish the city would fix the adjacent concrete sidewalk/trail it keeps destroying with big garbage trucks, instead of cleaning up after lovebirds leaving momentos of a visit to a beautiful city.

Locks September 17, 2015 (7:03 pm)

Glad they’re cleaning this up before it gets to be too much of an issue.
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It think the locks are a sweet gesture. I think the gates do end up looking pretty with so many locks on them. But it’s not practical to turn every public fence, sidewalk, or bench into an art piece just because it’s “sweet.” Someone is responsible for maintaining the fence and that’s what they’re doing by stopping this before it gets out of hand.
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Maybe someone could volunteer the fence in front of their house for this kind of community-sourced public art project.

LyndaB September 17, 2015 (7:13 pm)

Gatewooder, have you tried out the city’s Find it, Fix it app? (Aka FIFI) I reported brush to be cut back on city owned land and they actually did it and they emailed me when it was done.

Dawn September 17, 2015 (10:31 pm)

Thank you for the app tip, LyndaB! Didn’t know such a thing existed. Will definitely check it out.

Diane September 18, 2015 (5:18 am)

I think they close the lock and throw the key into the sound. That is the other issue if locks become too many.

JV September 18, 2015 (4:39 pm)

That bridge in Paris (le Pont des Arts) became so encrusted with locks that people were attaching new locks to the old locks because the chain link fence was completely covered. One of the fence sections broke off and fell into the Seine. If you’ve ever been to Paris, you know there is a lot of boat traffic under the bridges. So the locks were creating a real safety hazard.

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