The National Park Service (NPS) on Saturday backpedaled again on closing the notorious Dupont Circle Park for this weekend’s WorldPride events, removing the barricades that were put up less than a day before.
NPS and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the decision in a joint statement on Saturday.
“We are pleased that the Mayor’s office and the National Park Service could work together overnight on a solution that protects the historic features of this park while also ensuring the safety of all who enjoy it,” the statement reads.
“We want this weekend to be a safe and fun celebration in our nation’s capital – and one that includes one of the best parks and community spaces in our city, Dupont Circle,” they wrote. “We look forward to working together on future initiatives that keep DC safe and beautiful.”
The news comes a day after NPS said in an order that it would temporarily close the park that is central to Washington’s notorious LGBTQ neighborhood, despite local officials suggesting it would stay open. At the request of the U.S. Park Police (USPP), an anti-scale fence was installed around the park’s perimeter and was expected to remain in place until Sunday evening.
Despite the reversal, a barrier will remain around the fountain at the center of the park, an official told The Washington Post.
USPP Maj. Frank Hilsher told NPS officials earlier this week that the initial request was based on “several previous years of assaultive, destructive and disorderly behavior” in the area and blocking off the park would “deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences.”
The turmoil comes as Washington hosts WorldPride for the first time. As the nation’s capital celebrates its 50th year of hosting Pride events, the Capital Pride parade is set to kick off around 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The last time WorldPride was hosted in the U.S. was in 2019 when New York City welcomed approximately 5 million people.
