Troubled shelter at Seattle’s Dr. Jose Rizal Park removed as city focuses on improvements

The city said the rotting wood created a fire risk, but community members say the park faces deeper issues.

SEATTLE — City crews tore down the picnic shelter at Dr. Jose Rizal Park on Seattle’s Beacon Hill last week after years of complaints about drug activity.

A spokesperson for Seattle Parks and Recreation said rotting wood and fire risks were the primary reasons for the demolition, but deeper issues have been well documented. 

A volunteer park steward through the Seattle Parks Foundation says the shelter was used for “negative reasons” almost every day.

“A bunch of folks took over the cabana,” said