Seattle park closures raise safety concerns amid encampment growth

SEATTLE — Seattle has temporarily closed three parks, citing ongoing safety concerns and misuse. But neighbors say the closures haven’t solved the problem — and a growing encampment across the street from an elementary school has them worried.

Seven Hills Park on Capitol Hill, Lake City Mini Park, and Blanche Lavizzo Park in the Central District were all closed Aug. 28. Seattle Parks and Recreation says the parks will remain closed for 60 days while the city considers changes such as new lighting, decorative fencing or removing certain amenities.

Neighbors who live near Seven Hills Park say conditions there had spiraled out of control.

“This problem has metastasized,” one Capitol Hill resident said. “The park has been marked as a safe space to come and do drugs and be an outlaw, and tha