Seattleites are passionate about our parks, and it is this passion that created the wonderful new off-leash area on Magnolia.

The new off-leash area at Magnolia Manor is 2,300 square feet of pure doggy heaven.

Neighbors, dog owners and dogs celebrated the opening of the Magnolia Manor Off-Leash Area (OLA) in November 2012. The Magnolia Manor OLA provides 21,000 square feet for dogs to run and enjoy a “chuck it” game zone. It also includes a dog drinking fountain.

In 1995, the Magnolia Reservoir was replaced with an underground structure as part of Seattle Public Utilities Reservoir Covering Program, leaving an area surrounded with a fence and small seating area.

After a community process in 2006 Lower Kinnear and Magnolia Manor were recommended as development sites for new off-leash areas. In 2008 the Parks and Green Spaces Levy designated $140,000 to develop OLAs at both these locations.

The new off-leash area includes a game area for “chuck-it” and a doggy water fountain.

The community jumped in, and through an organization called Sustainable Magnolia applied for and received a Small and Simple Grant from the Department of Neighborhoods to develop a schematic design for the entire Magnolia Manor Park site.

The community design takes advantage of the spectacular view, and includes the dog park, a P-Patch, walking paths and picnic plaza. In addition to Parks and Green Spaces Levy funds, the Friends of Magnolia Manor fundraising efforts provided $25,000 towards the cost of the OLA.

With this new off-leash area, Seattle Parks now has 13 dog off-leash areas. Seattle Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the community, will open another off-leash area when the Lower Kinnear project opens in early 2013 in the Queen Anne area.

To keep up to date with what’s happening at the Magnolia Manor off-leash area, follow their Facebook page.  Photos credited to Betsey Matsubara, Steward – Magnolia Manor OLA.

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