FOLLOWUP: Alki Beach Park will close at 10 pm every night for the rest of the summer

(Thursday’s sunset on Alki – photo by Jen Popp)

This announcement is just in from Seattle Parks:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will extend the temporary early closure time of 10 p.m. at Alki Beach Park (2665 Alki Ave. SW) through September 12, 2021.

SPR originally piloted a temporary early closure time of 10 p.m. over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Based on positive community feedback, as well as continued concerns around illegal activity and public safety issues at Alki Beach Park over the busy summer months, SPR has decided to extend the temporary early closing. The park will close daily at 10:00 p.m. (instead of 11:30 p.m.) and reopen as normal at 4:30 a.m.

This extension of the temporary closing time change, authorized by SMC 18.12.040, is intended to mitigate illegal activity at the park during the busy summer months. Alki Beach Park has experienced an increase in public safety issues, including acts of violence, excessive noise violations, illegal fires, and unpermitted events.

SPR has already implemented several strategies to try to discourage illegal behaviors at Alki Beach Park:

· Public education: To clarify and publicize beach fire rules and other park rules, we are using our website and social media resources, sandwich-board signs at the park, and most recently, two large electronic reader-boards stating that fires are allowed in authorized firepits only, and the time by which fires must be extinguished. (Reader-board messaging may change to reflect updates.)

· Enhanced staffing: Five staff are on the beach nightly. They remind park users that fires can be in firepits only and must be extinguished by 9:30 p.m.; remind park users that amplified music is prohibited; pick up litter; clean and restock restrooms.

· Reduced hours for fires: Staff extinguish beach fires by 9:30 nightly.

· SPD coordination: We stay in close communication and strategize with SPD regarding efforts to enforce laws and prevent illegal behaviors.

Alki Beach Park will continue to allow beach fires through September 12 in designated fire rings. All beach fires must be extinguished by 9:30 p.m. and all visitors will be asked to leave the park by 10 p.m. Please see beach fire rules here.

Alki Beach Park daily operating hours will return to 4:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. effective September 13, 2021.

Last month, Parks announced a “pilot” to close Golden Gardens – the big beach park in Ballard – early for the next nine months, citing similar reasons.

82 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Alki Beach Park will close at 10 pm every night for the rest of the summer"

  • Eric July 9, 2021 (9:36 am)

    Amazing news!! Thanks to all who were involved in this decision.    

  • Jeepney July 9, 2021 (9:59 am)

    Good news, but will only mean something if it is enforced.  Federal Way and Des Moines have beaches people can go to.

    • Jort July 9, 2021 (3:43 pm)

      Hey Jeepney, what is it about Des Moines and Federal Way beaches that makes you think “people” should go there instead? What? EXACTLY? Why did you not mention any beaches in north Seattle or Everett? What EXACTLY are you implying about the “people” who visit Alki’s public beach. Please be actually exact. I sure am curious. 

      • Jimmy Nimbles July 10, 2021 (7:25 am)

        Seeing as Jeepny didn’t mention any Lake Washington beaches either I’m guessing the alternatives being provided don’t require crossing the Duwamish or negotiating high way exchange traffic. Same reasoning I employ when I want to take my kids to a park but want to avoid the Marginal/Highland/1st Ave/99/I5 debacle…I go south. I think you need to clean your glasses up, Jort. Your strong implications suggest you only look through one dirty lens. 

      • Balderdash July 10, 2021 (11:38 am)

        jort… if all you got is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.  Lighten up,  everyone doesn’t have an ax to grind in here, except maybe you.

      • Eldorado July 11, 2021 (7:59 am)

        Chill out Jort. Maybe take a dip at any one of our many beaches. 

      • Wes C. Addle July 11, 2021 (10:18 pm)

        I’m guessing it’s a not so subtle attempt at pointing out the people involved in the last shooting death were from Des Moines and Fed Way.  I don’t think you’re out of hand here.

        • What Do I Know July 11, 2021 (10:55 pm)

          I’m going with Jimmy Nimbles on this one. With the bridge out, I go to the Virginia Mason clinic in Federal Way now for routine blood work instead of downtown.

  • Bradley July 9, 2021 (10:25 am)

    Thanks hooligans. 

  • AlkiRes420years July 9, 2021 (10:31 am)

    Fantastic news! This last 4th of July was the ONLY one in 20 years that there wasn’t screaming  fights/arguments and hours long backed up traffic that could not move right in front of our home. My street turns in to a one way street when it gets full of parked cars resulting in gridlock because people choose or cannot back up for each other. This results in screaming matches for HOURS and tons of gridlock. It got so bad once that a woman chose to drive her SUV on the sidewalk for about half a block to get to Admiral, driving over my neighbors front yard landscaping.  This year, a “street closed” sign was put on Admiral but not one on Alki. This was AWESOME because people leaving Alki were able to and there was no gridlock! A common sense solution to a yearly problem. 

    • Runner July 9, 2021 (9:03 pm)

      Great news, please enforce this!  I also agree with the comment about the noise pollution. How about some enforcement on the motorcycles and cars with illegal exhaust pipes revving their engines to be as loud as possible as they speed up and down Alki Ave? 

      • dang_it July 9, 2021 (11:30 pm)

        And what about the ones that speed up and down Admiral? It is a residential street after all wherther or not it’s an arterial. Alki gets a lot of attention but I hear of little effort regarding Admiral (sqeaky wheel I guess).

  • Seabruce July 9, 2021 (10:45 am)

    Are beach fires at Alki exempt from the Governor’s statewide ban of outdoor fires due to the drought and increased fire danger?

  • Junction Lady July 9, 2021 (11:23 am)

    A reasonable and more proactive approach to control crowds and deter violence.

  • Kathy July 9, 2021 (11:27 am)

    The sign at Alki said “Golden Gardens”. Hopefully  they will be putting up a new sign.

    • WSB July 9, 2021 (11:37 am)

      Yeah, somebody sent a pic of that just after we published this. Haven’t had time to add but did flag Parks via Twitter ….

  • Nachobeaver July 9, 2021 (11:41 am)

    And criminals obey park hours just like gun laws👍

  • Jim July 9, 2021 (12:04 pm)

    It’s interesting that places where wealthy people live close early but other places in Washington state don’t close early 

    • alki_2008 July 12, 2021 (3:39 pm)

      Property on beaches is always more costly than in more urban locations. And beaches need to close because beaches are where people congregate and trouble brews.

  • Djet7carn July 9, 2021 (12:47 pm)

    This is the wrong solution to the problem.   99% of the population is now being punished by the 1%.  

    • KN July 9, 2021 (1:57 pm)

      Can you confirm 99% of Alki residents feel punished by this?

      • Lisa July 9, 2021 (2:48 pm)

        I’m not a resident but I’m a frequent beach visitor and I feel punished.

        • Andros July 9, 2021 (3:29 pm)

          I skate all the time down here. This is not punishment. This is a safety concern. 

        • Amy July 9, 2021 (6:01 pm)

          I’m resident and I don’t feel punished. Maybe you have the % wrong.

        • dang_it July 9, 2021 (11:34 pm)

          So just leave by 10. What’s the big deal?

      • Alki Local July 9, 2021 (3:10 pm)

        I don’t feel punished by this.

      • MrsB July 9, 2021 (3:39 pm)

        I’m a resident and far from feeling punished!  Delighted is how I feel!!

      • Jort July 9, 2021 (3:45 pm)

        Alki residents don’t own Alki Beach, so who cares? 

        • KN July 9, 2021 (10:56 pm)

          So then can you confirm 99% of the general population would feel punished by this?

        • dang_it July 10, 2021 (6:54 am)

          I’m not an Alki resident and I also do not feel punished by this.  You can still go to the beach you just have to leave by 10. Just have to leave by 10. I’ll ask again, what is the big deal? If there’s a question of fairness and some beaches being open later than others, well let’s just close them all by 10:00 p.m. Solved. 

  • Balderdash July 9, 2021 (1:59 pm)

    It’s the right solution for an out of control scene.

  • Alki resident July 9, 2021 (2:08 pm)

    A group causes problems and everyone else gets a curfew. What a joke. 

    • July 9, 2021 (3:06 pm)

      Things could be worse. France had a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew due to COVID, and several other countries have 10 p.m. curfews due to the virus as well. At least the restaurants along Alki are finally fully open.

    • Cranky July 12, 2021 (12:07 pm)

      I would say that the thousands who showed up for the party are the joke. Closing at 10 to stop this nonsense is a reasonable decision 

  • TA July 9, 2021 (3:33 pm)

    I am very happy for this curfew. I live at Alki and the place is as out of control as it has ever been. Yes, as is usually the case, laws and rules are created because a small percentage of humans cannot control themselves or think about others. I agree it doesn’t seem fair. I also don’t see the alternative.

  • Djet7carn July 9, 2021 (3:45 pm)

    It is out of control because the SPD no longer has the resources to keep it under control.  Seattle needs to hire more counselors to resolve the chaos.  

  • Joan July 9, 2021 (3:55 pm)

    Good news. Now, I’d like to hear how it works out the rest of the summer.

  • anonyme July 9, 2021 (4:21 pm)

    In Switzerland, it is illegal to flush the toilet after 10 pm.  I love a country with rules – even better, people who follow them.  And yes, I actually would love to move there.

    • Swissmyth July 10, 2021 (8:35 am)

      Hating to flush such a great fake story, but no such laws exist in Switzerland. Been there, done that, and it is not illegal.

      • Kathy July 10, 2021 (9:41 am)

        I recall it was illegal to mow your lawn or create loud noise on Sundays and holidays in Germany. If the cops didn’t get you for it, your neighbors would. People complied. We could band together in Alki and block the streets with our bodies at 10 pm to stop noisy cars. Of course we would probably get shot. Something else different in Germany. Strict gun laws. 

        • Swissmyth July 10, 2021 (1:45 pm)

          First Swiss and then German anecdotes of complying societies.  Why so euro-centric, when we can choose Singapore where chewing gum is illegal and it is illegal not to flush the toilet?

          • TanzeSambaMitMir July 11, 2021 (5:07 pm)

            Why Euro-centric? Because the ancestors of the majority of people who live here are from Europe. Europe has created more regulation and spent time to figure out what’s best for their people. This is not the Wild Wild West anymore, time to behave like we live in a civilization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTV-wwszGw8

      • anonyme July 10, 2021 (10:40 am)

        Hmmm.  A little more research reveals that this is indeed a common urban myth.  Thanks for pointing it out.  However, the Swiss are notoriously strict about noise and other rules and laws relating to common decency.  Having lived in Geneva for some time, I can attest to that personally.

  • Kyle July 9, 2021 (5:06 pm)

    What unscientific method did they use for “community feedback”? Just who called or emailed a certain department? Seems like a good method for decision making.

  • Greg Goldstein July 9, 2021 (6:17 pm)

    This is brilliant news for us locals, provided things are enforced. I’m still hearing the odd fireworks at 2-3am but hopefully this works to stop the deplorable scenes of last year and events over summer. The people who have no business coming to the beach at night will have to find somewhere else to fight, drag race, do drugs and all the other fun things they love. The rest of us don’t “feel punished” at all. Infact, it’s kind of liberating.

  • Alki Boy July 9, 2021 (6:47 pm)

    Fine by me. We need to be sending a strong message about all the people that are making the Alki area unsafe.  And don’t compare closing a beach to criminals having guns. Please!!!!

  • scubafrog July 9, 2021 (7:14 pm)

    Victory, to be honest.  A huge win for Seattle, crime rates will go down.  Seattle proper should do this everywhere crime is trending in the 206.  Arrest everyone out over curfew, and give out HUGE fines.  I like this SPD Chief.

    • WSB July 9, 2021 (7:48 pm)

      Just to be clear, this is a Parks directive, not a Police directive. (Jesús Aguirre, Parks Superintendent, would have been the decisionmaker.)

      • scubafrog July 10, 2021 (12:44 am)

        Thanks WSB!  Jesus Aguirre gets a thank you note, what a thoughtful decision for West Seattle.

    • zark00 July 12, 2021 (2:17 pm)

      Scubafrog – you should check out the actual data, crime is trending down in Seattle in all categories except arson. https://www.seattle.gov/police/information-and-data/crime-dashboard

      • alki_2008 July 12, 2021 (3:48 pm)

        How are seeing a downward trend?  If you mean Seattle citywide, then homicide, arson, burglary, and motor vehicle theft were higher in 2020 than 2019………….What filters are you applying to see a downward trend in everything but arson?

  • dang_it July 9, 2021 (11:38 pm)

    Will fines and tickets be issued for people who don’t follow the orders to leave?  I can’t see how having  acurfew would do anything unless enforced. 

    • July 10, 2021 (12:42 am)

      Don’t hold your breath for that to happen. Can’t recall ever hearing of fines/tickets for beach infractions, only if bodily harm was involved, you know, like a shooting.

    • StopCuttingDownTrees July 11, 2021 (1:24 am)

      It’s not a “curfew”, it’s the exact same beach closure as it’s always been, just 90 minutes earlier. Anyone can still stroll/bike/rollerblade/jog the sidewalks and wheel path 24/7.

  • Pessoa July 10, 2021 (9:30 am)

    It’s always stunning at how easily people give up their rights, and/or restrict the rights of others, in order to satisfy some alleged greater societal good.  

    • S.A. July 10, 2021 (10:06 am)

      You said a mouthful there.

      • Pessoa July 10, 2021 (4:42 pm)

        As opposed to you, who said nothing – in true Seattle passive-aggressive style.  

    • Matt P July 10, 2021 (10:19 am)

      Society would not exist without rules or laws.  Without them, it is just chaos.  Your take is just libertarian fantasy nonsense.  

      • Pessoa July 10, 2021 (3:33 pm)

        “Society would not exist without rules or laws.”
        Actually, that is incorrect.  Society wouldn’t exist without the preservation of individual rights and liberties – at least not the society would want to live in.  Individuals are the basis for society, not the other way around. 
        “Without them, it is chaos.”
         
        Actually, in the end, chaos and societal mayhem is produced by the failure of society to protect individual liberties.
        “Your take is just libertarian fantasy nonsense.” 
         
        The fantasy – more like a Bradbury or Orwell nightmare – are those who, without a whimper, so eagerly and readily submit to authority  – and have the the agents of authority (police)  do the dirty work for them.   

      • Pessoa July 10, 2021 (4:36 pm)

        There is no society as we generally think of it without the zealous protection of individual liberties, even at the price of some discomfort for all of us. This isn’t even libertarian, this is commonsense.   

        • This July 11, 2021 (11:11 pm)

          Some discomfort? Multiple people were shot, and one lost their life, due to recent late night going-on’s at Alki.

    • July 10, 2021 (10:31 am)

      Like wearing a mask during a pandemic? 

  • Balderdash July 10, 2021 (10:09 am)

    considering what was going on down there, seems to be a reasonable decision

  • Anni w/ P.A.O.A. July 10, 2021 (10:58 am)

    This is a great decision!  Thank you Seattle Parks, SPD, etc, who have caught the ball and scored on this one.  Prevention is worth a ton of trouble and we all enjoy the Akli Beach Park during the day and evening.Join P.A.O.A. and the Alki Community Council to add your voice to how we can keep our neighborhood friendly, diverse, safe and fun for ALL.

  • BeachDriveBoi July 11, 2021 (7:38 am)

    This policy is already paying wonderful dividends. I live south of the lighthouse and don’t drive by the park often, but for the last couple of nights I have used the lower bridge (after 9pm), and found to my delight there was no massive backup westbound. It appears that since they know the beach park is closed after 10, the ‘tourists’ (punks, gangbangers, hooligans) appear to be going elsewhere to make nuisances of themselves.Of course, last night at 10pm there was a pretty big lineup eastbound. Punk/gangbanger exodus?Good for us, bad for wherever they go after 10pm.

  • Eldorado July 11, 2021 (8:12 am)

    Is the extent of ‘The Beach Park’ the sand itself? In other words, can people still walk on the ‘sidewalk/boardwalk’ directly adjacent the beach past 10:00? Or is that area closed too?

    • Wes C. Addle July 13, 2021 (3:11 pm)

      Correct.  That’s why it’s not really that big of a deal to me.  I say go for it!

      • Gable July 13, 2021 (5:50 pm)

        If you look on a Google map, Alki Beach Park goes from just west of 64th Pl SW to just east of 53rd Ave SW which includes the “boardwalk” adjacent to the beach. This whole area would be included in the Park’s open/closure timeframe. Trying to stick to information that others can look up and see for themselves. 

  • Roberto Dimento July 11, 2021 (10:54 am)

    Good. It’s a public park, not an all hours nightclub.

  • WS Resident July 11, 2021 (2:22 pm)

    Regarding “zealous protection of individual liberties, even at the price of some discomfort for all of us”.
    By causing “discomfort for all” isn’t an individual that is acting contrary to rules designed to benefit the common good infringing on the rights/liberties of each *individual* comprising the group you call “all”?
    Should an individual be allowed to play their new 10,000 watt stereo system from 1 am to 6 am in a high density neighborhood where hundreds are trying to get the sleep they need to perform at work/school/life?
    How about this logic?  “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few”.

    • Audifans July 12, 2021 (11:45 am)

      of course.  the individuals (collectively) are being overrun by some errant fool who decides it’s his right to create disturbances for others. ¨¨mister civil liberties´, at some point forgets that there are always limits that are going to be necessary to have the society actually function.

  • John July 11, 2021 (4:57 pm)

    Drove home by way of Harbor Ave and Alki just past midnight last night.  Remarkably quiet.  One large bonfire and the group around it were eerily silhouetted by the ‘ALL FIRES OUT BY 9:30 PM’ sign trailer lights behind them.  

  • Pessoa July 11, 2021 (5:25 pm)

    I’m not following your reasoning, such as it is.  Yes, I argued that it may be in the interests of society to allow certain types of behavior even if it causes discomfort – or as you say, infringes – on individuals within society.  Why do I believe this?  Because, the benefits that arise out of ensuring the exercise of personal liberties for all, whatever they may be, outweigh the dangers that come with suppressing certain behavior.   As far as your errant Spock logic, “the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,” this argument has been a recipe for disaster in history, and is the argument of every tyrant.    

  • Cranky July 11, 2021 (9:42 pm)

    It’s a park, not a personal liberties experiment. You expect a certain level of civil behavior.  If the park goers can’t handle roping in their excesses, then you get a park that closes at 10pm.. I really fail to see how a 10 pm closure is really creating much of a problem  here, considering that keeping it open was an invitation to massive problems.  The disaster was a month ago or so when people en mass just went out of control.

  • West Seattle Childhood July 15, 2021 (4:43 am)

     Alki lingo (just for fun)”The Prominade” or “Alki Beach Prominade”= The side walk / boardwalk next to the beach

    • July 15, 2021 (5:02 pm)

      Or “promenade” according to my dictionary. 

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