Parkways Seattle Parks and Recreation

Seattle Parks and Recreation continues efforts to reduce crowding in parks, in order to keep our parks and green spaces open and available through the duration of the City and State’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.  

Starting Friday, May 8, major parks will close at 8pm (instead of 11:30pm) to further deter the BBQs, bonfires, parties, and gatherings that are taking place in parks.

The parks now closing at 8pm are: 
Alki Beach, Cal Anderson, Carkeek, Discovery, Gas Works, Golden Gardens, Green Lake, Kubota Garden, Lincoln, Magnuson, Seward, Volunteer, Washington Park Arboretum, West Seattle Stadium, Myrtle Edwards, Judkins, and Woodland parks. 

Social Distancing Ambassadors will be out reminding people of this change, and SPD will be assisting in closing these parks at 8pm.  

In addition to this closure, Seattle Park and Recreation would like to reiterate the following guidelines: 

• Keep It Moving in parks. Parks are open for running, walking, and biking. Do not come to the park to have a picnic or gathering. If we all keep it moving, more of us can use the park without it getting crowded.  
• Stay Home and Stay Local. If you have to get in the car, it’s probably too far. Use your back yard if you have one, walk in your neighborhood, use a neighborhood Safe Street, or visit your local parks. We have over 485 parks in the city, and over 94% of us live within a 10 min walk to a park.  
• If you get to a park and it’s busy, leave and come back another time.  
• Stay home if you are sick, wash your hands frequently, and if you visit a park, make sure that you can give yourself and others six feet of space.  
• Motorized boat ramps, tennis courts, basketball courts, play areas, athletic fields (except for walking through), picnic tables/shelters, and other high touch amenities are closed.  
• Parking lots remain closed at many popular parks. The goal is to cut down on the crowding that we see at these parks. Lots are closed at: Along Lake Washington Blvd (Adams St, Duck Bay, Ferdinand St, Lower Colman, Mt. Baker Bathhouse, Stan Sayres, Pritchard Beach, 49th St), Seward, Genesee, Carkeek, Discovery, Golden Gardens, Green Lake, Kubota Gardens, Lincoln, Magnuson, Washington Park Arboretum, Matthews Beach, Riverview, Volunteer, West Seattle Stadium, and Woodland parks, plus Atlantic St Boat Ramp (except when UW will be offering their drive-up COVID testing). ADA parking is available at Magnuson, Seward, Lincoln, and Green Lake.  
• Please visit parks during less popular times. Mornings are typically the least busy times at parks.  

Social Distancing Ambassadors will be out to encourage everyone to Keep It Moving, give others six feet of space, and refrain from congregating activities (pick up games, BBQs, or any gatherings).  

Mother’s Day is typically one of the busiest days of the year in our City parks. This year, social distancing is critical, and we need to follow the guidelines given to prevent crowding at parks during this holiday. To provide an alternative way to enjoy one popular park from the comfort of your home, the City of Seattle, UW, and the Arboretum Foundation have created some fun virtual events to provide the “Mother’s Day Arboretum experience”. 

“Seattle has been an example of how we can keep public spaces open, without creating crowds. But we cannot relax these efforts just yet. All of us can do something to help reduce crowding: exercise at home, visit parks during less busy hours, keep it moving, visit parks closer to home. I am confident that Seattle can do this, and that we won’t see the crowding in our parks that would lead to closures,” said Jesús Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent.  

Finally, as a reminder, lifeguards are not on duty at our beaches and all beaches are closed for swimming. Swimming during the springtime can be especially dangerous because the water temperature is still very cold and can make swimming difficult for even the strongest swimmers.  

All boats launches remain closed for the time being 

Today the City of Seattle has announced the reopening of all four of the city’s municipal golf courses: Jefferson Park Golf Course, West Seattle Golf Course, Jackson Golf Course, and Interbay Golf Course.

Premier Golf is contracted by the City to operate all four courses and will open doors on Tuesday with the guidelines set forward by the Governor’s order, which include: social distancing guidelines along with signage, minimizing face-to-face interactions, eliminating high touch surfaces, increasing sanitization practices, elimination of sit-down food and beverage service (take-out only). Further, pro-shops will be closed to retail, there will be no equipment rentals, and mini golf and footgolf will be prohibited. Premier will utilize golf marshals to enforce social distancing.  

“Opening our golf courses is a great first step toward slowly and carefully reopening recreation opportunities to our communities. With the partnership of Premier Golf, we feel that we can implement a high level of social distance and sanitation practices that can keep folks safe while they golf,” said Jesús Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. 

“Premier Golf, in conjunction with Seattle Parks and Recreation, are excited to bring golf back to the citizens of Seattle in a safe, healthy way. We want our customers to feel comfortable visiting our facilities and a very detailed list of safety protocols has been put in place for all to follow. Golf will be played in twosomes and the driving ranges stalls will be placed at a minimum 10 feet apart to ensure social distancing requirements can be met. We are fired up to see our golfers return!” said Premier Golf Vice President, Michael Fosnick.  

“We are headed in the right direction.  Parks and open space have been a life-line for many during this pandemic.  Golfers and park-goers alike know the importance of continuing to practice safe, social distancing, while enjoying the semblance of normalcy that the outdoors can provide. It is important that while we prioritize safety, we also come up with creative programs that optimize our current landscape for other activities for Seattle to enjoy,” said Councilmember Debora Juarez. 

With support from Councilmember Juarez, Seattle Parks and Recreation is also developing a pilot program to provide other recreation opportunities in these spaces. The intent is to use the ample acreage of golf courses provide additional spaces to for people to run and walk while maintaining social distance. This pilot will begin at West Seattle, Jefferson, and Jackson golf courses, by periodically reprogramming the 9-hole course. The pilot program is slated to begin in two weeks.  

All boat launches remain closed while the City further considers the guidelines and supports needed to create a safe environment for public access to these spaces. 

For more information about your local golf course please visit http://premiergc.com/ 

Updated October 19, 2020

Parking lots at all boat launches are now open except for Atlantic St.

Here’s a list of parking lots and their status. While we appreciate that closures are inconvenient, this is one of several tools used nationwide to lessen crowds as we try to keep the coronavirus in check.

Residents are encouraged to visit any of other 400+ local neighborhood parks, or to bike or walk to the larger destination parks, which will remain open for public use.  

“Many of us have been doing a great job at enjoying the outdoors while also practicing social distancing, but we are still observing crowds at some of our larger parks, and pick-up games on fields and courts. We urge you to visit parks closer to home or take walks in your neighborhood. Continuing our social distancing practices is critical to the health of those most vulnerable in our community,” said Jesus Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. 

SPR and SPD will continue to deploy staff to encourage social distancing at highly frequented parks.  

As a reminder, all Seattle beaches are also closed to gatherings, and Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area and Rattlesnake Ledge Trail are closed. 

Seattle Parks and Recreation continues to ask community members to: 

• Use social distancing: the most effective tool we have to slow the spread of COVID-19 is social distancing. We are asking people to abide by social distancing guidelines in Seattle Parks. 
• Visit parks closer to home, and avoid popular parks: If you have to get in the car, it’s too far. Help keep down crowds by visiting parks closer to home or taking a walk in your neighborhood.  
• Visit larger parks during early morning hours: Many parks open at 4:30am or 6am. Visiting them early in the morning will help keep crowds down throughout the day.  
• Do not access off limits equipment or areas:  Seattle and King County have closed all play areas and other high touch areas such as picnic shelters, tables, and outdoor exercise equipment. 

• Do not congregate in parks: Do not gather. Do not BBQ. Do not play soccer or softball with those outside of your household. Do not play basketball with those outside of your household.  
• Six feet for activities: Hiking, biking, walking are all great ways to enjoy parks right now, just remember to give a wide berth to your fellow residents.