Finding a park near you
Right now we’re all working to balance our love of the outdoors and our need to keep our communities safe. This weekend, many major parks are closing to keep even the most well-meaning of folks from gathering in great abundances. But fear not! Seattle has 2,500 acres of forested parklands, and lovely parks in every neighborhood of the city. Below we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite parks in the different areas of Seattle. Click on a region or a neighborhood to find walkable parks near you!
Parks by Region
Don’t see your neighborhood, or looking for more park recommendations? Click the button below to contact us, or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram! For more ways to engage with nature, check out the Green Cities blog page!
North
Bryant
Burke Gilman Trail
This iconic trial runs from Ballard to Bothell, and has views of the sound, Lake Union, and Lake Washington. Great for walks, runs, and biking!
Bryant Park
Bryant Neighborhood Playground is a charming park with a small slope located along NE 65th Street.
Ravenna Park
Ravenna Park is a ½ mile wooded ravine with lush wooded areas, and is a popular spot for hiking, jogging and picnics. A great place to spot skunk cabbage blooms!
Union Bay Natural Area
The Union Bay Natural Area is a public wildlife area, natural restoration laboratory, and an important habitat next to Lake Washington. It is the second largest natural system left on the lake. Considered one of the best bird-watching sites in the city of Seattle!
Haller Lake
Bitter Lake Playfield
Bitter Lake Playfield is a large community park featuring playfields, tennis courts, and other activities. Though we cannot use many of the amenities now, it’s a great place to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. It even includes a small section of shoreline where you can get a glimpse of Bitter Lake.
Bitter Lake Reservoir Open Space
Just North of Bitter Lake Playfield, Bitter Lake Reservoir Open Space features a P-Patch run by the Department of Neighborhoods with garden beds for community members. Check out what folks have been growing or get a glimpse of wildflowers as they start to bloom for the summer.
Haller Lake Street End
Head east off the Interurban Trail down N 125th St to find the delightful Haller Lake Park. Winding paths lead to public access to the west side of the lake with excellent opportunities for birdwatching. Enjoy this street end park? Consider getting involved with the Shoreline Street Ends program.
Jackson Park
The Jackson Park Trail features 2.2 miles of mostly flat gravel trail that winds along the edge of the Jackson Park Golf Course. This trail leads you through old growth conifers and native shrubs and provides the opportunity to spend time in an iconic PNW forest without leaving the city. Note that only a small part of this trail is wheelchair accessible and there are a couple short yet steep climbs on this walk.
NorthAcres Park
A neighborhood favorite, Northacres Park is surrounded by a conifer forest with walking trails throughout. In addition to the classic park amenities, note that Northacres also has an off-leash dog park. Are dog parks open right now?
Lake City/Victory Heights
Matthews Beach Park
You might recognize Matthew’s Beach from the famous polar bear plunge every New Year’s Day or from the swimming opportunities in the summer. In addition to beautiful views of Lake Washington, the park has a big meadow to enjoy. It’s where Thorton Creek flows into Lake Washington. It’s a great stop if you’re on a bike ride or a long walk on the Burke Gilman.
Beaver Pond NAtural Area
Looking to see some wildlife? Beaver Pond Natural Area is home to an active beaver population. It is also a great place for birdwatching and seeing other wildlife that live along Thorton Creek.
Kingfisher Natural Area
See more of Thorton Creek on a walk in the Kingfisher Natural Area. This green space features native vegetation and premiere wildlife viewing.
Meadowbrook Pond
Head to Meadowbrook Pond for a peaceful getaway full of unique art pieces and wildlife sightings. Meadowbrook Pond is where the north fork and south fork of Thorton Creek meet.
Wedgewood
BG Trail to Yesler Creek
From Burke Gilman you can head down to the Yesler Creek headwaters behind the sand point metropolitan market.
Off the Burke Gilman trail, behind the Sand Point Metropolitan Market, you can find the headwaters of Yesler Creek. On your walk, check out all the restoration that the Green Seattle Partnership and the University of Washington Restoration Ecology Network have done here.
Matthews Beach
You might recognize Matthew’s Beach from the famous polar bear plunge every New Year’s Day or from the swimming opportunities in the summer. In addition to beautiful views of Lake Washington, the park has a big meadow to enjoy. It’s where Thorton Creek flows into Lake Washington. It’s a great stop if you’re on a bike ride or a long walk on the Burke Gilman. Be sure to check out the trail behind the swimming pool and community center!
Meadowbrook Pond
Head to Meadowbrook Pond for a peaceful getaway full of unique art pieces and wildlife sightings. Meadowbrook Pond is where the north fork and south fork of Thorton Creek meet.
Ravenna Park
Ravenna Park is a ½ mile wooded ravine that is great for taking a walk or bike ride through. Enjoy the native vegetation and be sure to check out the walls of ferns, the mossy trees, and the skunk cabbage!.
West Woodland (SE Ballard)
11th Ave Street End
This delightful park was opened in 2015 by SDOT and the University of Washington in an effort to improve the street end and reclaim spaces with public water access. If you want to get involved with improving shoreline access and caring for public street ends, check out the Shorelines Street Ends program.
14th Ave NW Boat Ramp
In addition to being a free public access boat launch near the Ballard bridge, this street end provides a space to be near and enjoy the water. If you want to get involved with improving shoreline access and caring for public street ends, check out the Shorelines Street Ends program.
Gilman Playground
The Gilman Playground has a lot of wonderful park amenities including a recently updated all-abilities playground. Though we must be respectful and stay off all the equipment right now, it is still a great place to enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air.
Fremont Peak Park
On a clear day, Fremont Peak park features outstanding views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. As you make your way to the park, you’ll wander through a woodland with mature conifers and recently planted native vegetation. Be sure to check out the solstice sculpture.
Central
Beacon Hill
Cheasty Greenspace
A favorite for many in the community, Cheasty greenspace features a series of trails through verdant urban woodland.
Dearborn Park
A small, charming neighborhood park with nearby access to the Chief Sealth Trail.
Jefferson Park
The sixth largest park in the city! Offers unparalleled views of the Duwamish River, the city and the Olympics. The path system flanked by trees offers a wonderful respite from city life along a great deal of open space. Great for physical distancing!
Maplewood Playfield
Another great spot if you want access to plentiful open space, bounded by trees. Great views as well!
Central District
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park
Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park is a narrow park that connects S Jackson St. and E Yesler Way. Its many oak, poplar, and other shade trees give the park a sense of seclusion, despite being nestled amidst buildings. There’s also an amphitheater if you want to practice monologues or family plays!
Frink-Leschi-Madrona
Frink Park is a beautiful forested parkland that serves as the gateway to a larger contiguous green space that includes Leschi and Madrona park. They are connected by Lake Washington Boulevard, which provides the perfect trail for walking, running, and biking.
Leschi-Lake Dell Natural Area
This site hosts a ravine and a natural area, but most notably an incredible view of Lake Washington and the Olympics.
Nora's Woods
Nora’s woods are located on little more than a street corner, but is packed full of lush greenery and wood-chipped trails. If you’re looking for something quaint, or a moment of respite, check it out!
Peppi's Playground
Despite being relatively small, Peppi’s playground has plenty of open space to play and roam. The park is bordered by lovely street trees.
Madison Valley
Harrison Ridge Greenbelt
This green space, nestled in Madison valley, has benefited from a great deal of community restoration work. Perfect for an inner city hike.
Lakeview Park
As the name suggests, there’s a great view of the lake here! You can also access Lake Washington boulevard and its adjoining green spaces.
Madison Park
Madison Park is a popular community space with nearby access to Lake Washington.
Washington Playfield
While the adjoining arboretum will be closed for this weekend (4/10-4/12), the somewhat recently renovated Washington Playfield has great elevation changes, trees, and open space.
SODO
Lewis Park
Check out the beautiful new trail at Lewis Park that makes this natural area more accessible for all visitors. The community has done a lot of great restoration work in this park including the removal of invasive species and debris, and the planting of native vegetation.
Dr. Jose Rizal Park
Looking for great views? Head to Dr. Jose Rizal park for spectacular views of south Downtown and Elliott Bay. The park has a grassy hillside with great views, a wooded area, and an off-leash dog park.
Danny Woo Community Garden
The Danny Woo Community Garden is an extraordinary 1.5-acre area with nearly 100 garden plots, a children’s garden, a chicken coop, outdoor kitchen, and fruit tree orchard! This is a special outdoor space for the community and you can find more information about the garden here. Kobe Park is adjacent!
12th Ave s Viewpoint
Get out to the 12th Ave S. Viewpoint to catch a sunset or sunrise, or enjoy the daytime views. From the open lawn area, you’ll see outstanding views of Elliot Bay, downtown Seattle, and the Olympic Mountains.
Spokane Street End
This paved urban trail is great for walking, rolling, or riding your bike. Here you’ll see beautiful views of the city and the Puget Sound.
South
Holly Park/Rainier Valley
Hitt's Hill Park
John C. Little Sr. Park
This park host play structures, winding tree-lined paths, and plenty of open space. The landscaping here hosts a particularly lovely and diverse set of wildflowers.
Maple School Ravine
This linear green space hosts intriguing staircases and lovely views for those willing to go for a bit of a hike. For those seeking to get the heart rate up while amongst the trees, check this park out!
Othello Playground
Othello Park is a nicely designed park, spacious spot near Holly Park. It contains a play area for children, basketball courts, open meadow, and a nice short walking path. New features include pea patches and rain gardens.
Van Asselt Playfield
An active community space with lots of features for park users. The park boundary is wrapped in thriving street trees, but holds lots of open space within.
Martha Washington Park
Lakeshore park, popular for bird watching, with trails, small gravel beaches and wooded areas. Check out the Garry Oak woodlands, which are a rare habitat type in Washington State!
Rainier Beach
Be'er SHeva Park/Rainier Beach URban Farm & Wetland/Pritchard Island Beach
You can create a great urban hike by connecting these varying landscapes. Pritchard Island Beach has lovely fawn lilies, and Rainier Urban Farm & Wetland is an active restoration site with ecosystem features you won’t see every day.
East Duwamish Greenspace
Come admire the restoration efforts of many Seattle volunteers at the extensive East Duwamish Greenspace.
Kubota Natural Area
Kubota Park is closed but the natural area behind it is still open. Take a gander at the forested area that embraces the Kubota Gardens.
LakeRidge Park
Hiking trails through the forest & flowing streams highlight this urban recreation area.