Seattle parks chief to pay fine for his illegal park wedding

Seattle Parks Director Tim Gallagher has agreed to pay a $300 penalty for holding his wedding in the wrong section of Discovery Park.

Wedding ceremonies are allowed only in a designated place at the north end of the park at the Daybreak Star overlook. Gallagher obtained a special permit to tie the knot on a south-end lawn, next to the old military chapel there.

In doing so, he violated a city code "when he permitted persons under his official direction to issue him a permit on terms not available to the general public," according to a Seattle Ethics and Elections settlement agreement.

The proposed settlement, first reported at Publicola.net, will go to the city Ethics Board on Wednesday to be approved, rejected or modified, said Ethics and Elections director Wayne Barnett.

Gallagher initially thought a permit wasn't required, based on conversations with parks staff, the settlement says.

But someone tipped off the mayor's office, which told him to get a permit. Gallagher then paid $200 for one.

Without the knowledge of Gallagher, the staff created a new designation for Discovery Park weddings, which was used solely for his March 19 ceremony, according to the agreement.

"Gallagher should have known that, but for his position, his subordinates would not have issued him a permit for any Discovery Park site other than the Daybreak Star Overlook," the agreement document said.

The ceremony was a small gathering of 50 or fewer people that lasted 15 minutes, said Barnett. He said Gallagher's minimal use of the park is reflected in the small $300 penalty.

According to the agreement document, Gallagher said he "did not intend to violate the law, but acted in reliance on bad advice that he received from some members of his staff."

People often get married at city parks and beaches without a permit.

"We want our $200, but a lot of people don't know about it, or don't bother. Tim paid his $200 — and now $300 more, " said parks spokeswoman Dewey Potter. "It was clearly a misunderstanding between our events staff and Tim."

Gallagher did not respond to messages seeking comment Monday.

Apparently, the south lawn was special because Gallagher and his wife met in the park, Barnett said.

Gallagher, an avid hiker and former Los Angeles County parks director, was hired for the Seattle parks job two years ago.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com