Seattle scraps plans for a PLAYGROUND at site of nudist beach used for decades by LGBTQ swimmers, sunbathers and exhibitionists

Plans for a children's playground are being scrapped after protests from local LGBTQ citizens because it's located close to a nude beach that is considered a 'safe space' for the queer community.

What was described as a 'children's play area' - funded by a private donor putting up more than $500,000 - was being considered for Denny Blaine Park, which has been home to the nude beach for swimmers, sunbathers and exhibitionists on Lake Washington for decades.

Nudity is not illegal in the state of Washington, but the law makes it so that if it 'crosses over into something obscene' it becomes illegal.

At a public forum, members of the LGBTQ+ community in Seattle expressed concern that the playground would not only take away their space, families would weaponize the obscenity laws against them if the play area is near the beach.

'It has always been a place for the weird and the wonderful and that's part of what makes Seattle such a wonderful place is the weirdos,' said local advocate Colleen Kimseylove.

The beach at the park is not officially recognized as a nude beach, which members of the community would now like to see happen now that the park has been rejected. 

'While this area of our city still lacks accessible play equipment for kids and families, we understand the feedback that this particular park is not the best location, and we will evaluate other location alternatives,' a city spokesperson told KING5.

Seattle officials claimed there was no space within a 10-to-15 minute walk where a playground could happen. 

A movement calling itself Save Denny Blaine has posted literature online, including a map showing four different locations where a children's play area could be built while keeping distance from the beach. 

In an open later, they made their demands clear.

'Queer and trans people are foundational to the history and culture of Seattle,' they wrote. 

'We are constituents of yours, and were recently alarmed to hear that Seattle Parks and Recreation is considering inserting a children’s play area in the northwest section of Denny Blaine Park.' 

'Denny Blaine Park is an area that is frequently utilized as a nude beach by the queer community here in Seattle, and is not the right area for a children’s play area to be built,' they added. 

'We are supportive of finding a place in the area for a playground to be built, but believe there are better locations than Denny-Blaine.'

The group offered space for testimonials from people who said what the beach and the park meant to their community. 

Many in the community are now curious about the private donor who wanted to fund the project to the cost of $550,000. 

'It's just imperative to acknowledge the fact that one donor can influence our society and close a safe space at their whim by donating half a million dollars. It's abhorrent,' said Jesse Miranda.

The goal for the local LGBT+ from here on is to 'get this space designated as officially a clothing-optional beach as well as potentially recognizing its history as a queer safe space,' according to Sophie Amity Debs. 

The Seattle Parks service wrote that they are 'planning to meet with leaders in the LGBTQIA+ community to better understand the importance of this beach to the community and the hopes for future uses.'