Dupont Circle Park in Washington, D.C., will remain closed during WorldPride 2025 festivities despite community protests and a brief reversal of the decision by local police.

At a Glance

• The National Park Service has closed Dupont Circle Park from Thursday 6 p.m. to Sunday 6 p.m. during WorldPride 2025
• The closure follows $175,000 in vandalism damages in 2023 and gunfire incidents in 2019
• D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith initially withdrew the closure request following community backlash
• United States Park Police maintained the closure due to ongoing safety concerns and social media-organized unpermitted gatherings
• Temporary fencing was installed around the park early Friday morning

Safety Concerns Prompt Park Closure

The National Park Service announced the closure of Dupont Circle Park during the WorldPride 2025 celebrations in Washington, D.C., following a request from the United States Park Police. The park will remain closed from Thursday evening until Sunday evening, with temporary fencing already installed early Friday morning. This decision comes after a series of safety incidents in recent years, including gunshots fired during Pride events in 2019 and significant vandalism in 2023 that resulted in $175,000 in damages to the historic fountain and surrounding areas.

The Park Police cited the need to “secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences” as the primary reasons for the closure. Additionally, authorities have noted an increase in “the threat of violence, criminal acts and [park] resource destruction” in recent weeks, compounding their concerns about public safety during the high-profile international event.

Community Reaction and Political Response

The decision to close the park sparked immediate backlash from community leaders and LGBTQ+ advocates who consider Dupont Circle a historic and symbolic location for Pride celebrations. D.C. Council members Brooke Pinto and Zachary Parker criticized the closure as a “public safety measure” that failed to consider the park’s significance to the community. Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Jeff Rueckgauer also voiced strong opposition, advocating for greater community involvement in decisions affecting public spaces.

However, despite the D.C. police’s reversal, the federal Park Police maintained their position that the closure was necessary, highlighting the different jurisdictional priorities between local and federal authorities. The conflicting positions created confusion among residents and Pride attendees until the National Park Service confirmed the closure would proceed as planned.

Unpermitted Gatherings and Ongoing Threats

One specific concern driving the closure decision was the discovery of social media promotions for unpermitted gatherings in the park during WorldPride. According to Park Service officials, a local DJ had been actively promoting an unauthorized event at Dupont Circle, raising alarms about crowd control and potential disorder. This development, combined with recent incidents involving juveniles engaging in illegal activities in the park, reinforced authorities’ determination to implement preventive measures.

WorldPride Celebration Continues

Despite the park closure, WorldPride 2025 festivities are proceeding throughout Washington, D.C. The Capital Pride Parade, transformed into the WorldPride Parade for this special international edition, will follow a route starting at 14th and T streets and concluding near Freedom Plaza. The celebration includes numerous events across the city, featuring drag queen story hours, panel discussions, and educational talks on LGBTQ+ issues.

National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst emphasized that while the closure was regrettable, ensuring public safety remained the top priority. The Park Service plans to reopen Dupont Circle promptly following the conclusion of the weekend events, allowing normal access to resume by Sunday evening. Law enforcement officials will maintain a visible presence around the perimeter of the park throughout the weekend to enforce the closure and respond to any incidents that may arise during the festivities.

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