Shortened hours driven by safety concerns now in effect at Golden Gardens, Alki Beach

SEATTLE — New summer hours are now in effect at a pair of popular Seattle summer spots, with Golden Gardens and Alki Beach closing an hour earlier.

Park hours for both beaches has now shifted to 4 a.m.-10:30 p.m., with closing time moved back from 11:30 p.m. The later hours will return after September 4.

As for why the city opted to shorten the beaches’ hours, safety concerns were the top reason.

“The shortened hours will assist in addressing dangerous and/or illegal behavior typical of summer evening uses at these two parks in response to public input and nearby community complaints,” Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation said in a news release.

This program will act as a pilot to test out the new hours. And while closing time will officially be 10:30 p.m., parks staff and Seattle Police Department officers will start the shutdown process at 10 p.m.

The public is being encouraged to provide input while hours are shortened this summer to determine the viability of the program long-term. You can submit that input here.

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