Dupont Circle Park was abruptly closed for WorldPride 2025, igniting community outrage before officials reversed course just hours ahead of the parade.
At a Glance
- Dupont Circle Park was fenced off Friday morning but reopened Saturday morning after public backlash
- The National Park Service cited past incidents, including vandalism and public safety concerns, to justify the closure
- D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith initially requested the closure but later rescinded her request following community feedback
- Local officials and LGBTQ+ leaders criticized the closure as undermining Pride celebrations
- An impromptu concert was organized in the park following its reopening
Closure and Community Response
The National Park Service (NPS) closed Dupont Circle Park early Friday morning, citing safety concerns related to previous incidents during Pride events, including gunfire in 2019 and extensive vandalism in 2023. Officials also referenced recent illegal activity involving juveniles and an unpermitted social media event promoted by a local DJ.
While D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith originally requested the closure, she withdrew her support “after hearing from community leaders and residents.” Nonetheless, the NPS proceeded with fencing off the park, prompting public outcry. Local leaders, including D.C. Council members Brooke Pinto and Zachary Parker, questioned whether the action truly constituted a “public safety measure,” and Mayor Muriel Bowser later called the closure a mistake.
Watch a report: Dupont Circle Park reopens just hours ahead of WorldPride parade.
Reopening and Celebrations
Under mounting political and community pressure, the park was reopened Saturday morning, just hours before the WorldPride Parade stepped off from 14th and T streets. Celebrants swiftly reclaimed the space, transforming it into a stage for spontaneous community joy. A pop-up concert, hosted by Miss Washington D.C. and featuring LGBTQ+ performers, turned the park into a symbol of both protest and Pride.
The reversal underscores the tension between safety and inclusion. Although the Park Police defended their decision to “secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences,” critics argue the approach lacked transparency and community input.
As the broader WorldPride 2025 celebration continues across the capital, the Dupont Circle episode highlights the essential need for cooperative planning in civic spaces—especially when those spaces hold deep cultural and historical significance.
