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The federal government won't block off iconic Dupont Circle during WorldPride after saying it would.
The federal agency previously said it would close off the iconic LGBTQ+ area because of "vandalism" concerns.
The National Park Service’s controversial plan to close Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle Park during the main weekend of WorldPride is off, according to a statement Tuesday morning by D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker.
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“I spoke with Chief Smith this morning, and I'm glad to report that the decision to close DuPont Circle Park is being rescinded,” Parker wrote on X. “The Park is central to the LGBTQ community, and neighbors will be able to enjoy it this year for World Pride.”
On Monday, the Park Service said it would fence off the iconic LGBTQ+ gathering space from Thursday to Monday, citing $175,000 in vandalism damage from 2023 and a formal request from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, The Washington Postreported. The move drew immediate backlash from LGBTQ+ leaders, local commissioners, and community members who called the closure a symbolic affront to queer visibility during an international celebration.
The decision follows a formal letter, reviewed by The Advocate, sent Tuesday by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith to U.S. Park Police Chief Jessica Taylor, rescinding MPD’s initial request to close the park and install anti-scale fencing.
“Chief Pamela A. Smith has heard from community members and understands how significant Dupont Circle Park is to the Pride celebration,” an MPD spokesperson told The Advocate. “MPD stands ready to support the National Park Service and the U.S. Park Police during this weekend’s events.”
In the letter, Smith acknowledged prior incidents at the park during past Pride weekends—including vandalism in 2023 and unpermitted activity by large groups in 2024—but said that “after hearing from community leaders and residents,” she was withdrawing the request to close the park from June 5 through June 9.
Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who represents the Dupont Circle area, confirmed to The Advocate that she had asked Smith to reverse the decision and helped coordinate alternative safety plans to avoid the closure.
“Working together with MPD Chief Smith and members of our community, I am thrilled to share the decision to close the Dupont Circle Park has been reversed and that people celebrating World Pride will be able to gather safely in the symbol of our city’s historic LGBTQ+ community,” Pinto said in a statement.
She added, “Let’s all remember to treat all of our neighbors and public spaces with respect and care this weekend — vandalism or violence will not be tolerated.”
National Park Service chief of communications Mike Litterst told The Advocate that he could not confirm the change but that he was “looking into it.” However, a spokesperson for WorldPride told The Advocate that they were “happy to report” that the reversal had taken place.
Capital Pride Alliance Executive Director Ryan Bos told The Advocate that the damage done to the park previously was never caused by a sanctioned Capital Pride event.
“While I am aware USPP will make the final decision related to the fencing of Dupont Circle Park, MPD will have resources available to assist if needed,” the letter concludes.
Meanwhile, a watchdog group, the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, announced on Tuesday that it has filed Freedom of Information Act requests with the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the D.C. Mayor’s Office, demanding records related to both the closure and its reversal.
“The threatened removal of public space from the public’s use, notably in relation to LGBTQ+ Pride and in apparent service to Trump’s agenda, is a dangerous step and outside the legitimate authority of the Park Service,” said Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, executive director of PCJF.
Sarah Taitz, a staff attorney at PCJF, added, “The LGBTQ+ community and general public deserve to know how and why the decision to shut Pride out of Dupont Circle was made, and how and why that decision was reversed.”
The Park Service had previously cited a recent executive order from President Donald Trump directing agencies to protect national monuments and public spaces, but critics said the move appeared politically motivated and disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ visibility. The Advocate contacted Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office for further comment.
This is a developing story and has been updated with additional reporting.
