PARK PARKING: Port, county close their lots too – but parks still open

(WSB photo, gate at Jack Block Park)

As reported here earlier this week, Seattle Parks as closed parking lots at eight “destination parks” around the city, including Lincoln Park and Alki Beach (as clarified yesterday, Seacrest and Don Armeni were folded in with the latter). Today, the Port of Seattle announced it has closed park parking lots too – that includes, in West Seattle, Jack Block Park, plus T-105 and T-107 on the Duwamish River. And as noted on our partner site White Center Now, King County Parks’ lots also are closed. BUT all three jurisdictions stress that the parks themselves REMAIN OPEN for walking and other social-distancing-friendly activity.

14 Replies to "PARK PARKING: Port, county close their lots too - but parks still open"

  • Alki resident March 26, 2020 (4:37 pm)

    How does this make sense? So are we expected to take an uber to the park to go for a walk? 

    • Wes C. Addle March 26, 2020 (6:24 pm)

      You can drive, park nearby, then walk in.  You could walk, rollerblade, bike, skateboard, one-wheel there as well.  If those aren’t options, find a different place closer to where you live or stroll around your neighborhood.  Hopefully this lasts weeks vs. months and we can go back to a more normal life.  

    • Nigel Tufnel March 26, 2020 (6:39 pm)

      How on earth is this still so hard for you to understand?!

  • Ej March 26, 2020 (4:55 pm)

    Nope. You are supposed to stay home and walk your neighborhood. They are trying to discourage people from going to parks so there aren’t crowds. Park on the street if you must go to a park. Their method seems to be working, yes?  This is not ideal but it will save lives.  

    • HP park lover March 26, 2020 (9:25 pm)

      Ej – agree with you. Stop the virus spreading.Others- Walk locally. Get to know your neighbors with following the 6ft rule. Ie; walk on by on sidewalk, see a neighbor stay distant but be friendly. Check on them. Who knows maybe just a friendly hello will help a neighbor get through the hour or the day.Build your community. Its going to take all of us work together as small communities.  

    • Bradley March 27, 2020 (2:15 am)

      Governor Inslee said today that we don’t have to stay home and we can go for a drive. Forcing park visitors to park closer together and in front of residences instead of in a large, designated parking lot is beyond ridiculous.

  • Lena March 26, 2020 (5:20 pm)

    I wish they would put a couple handicapped spots in front of the gates for those of us who can’t walk far especially as the weather gets warmer it would be nice to be able to go sit in the grass somewhere but if you can’t walk far…

  • Jethro Marx March 26, 2020 (5:47 pm)

    I suppose, if your desired activity is walking, it makes little sense to start by getting in your car. Could one walk to the park to take a walk? How can the same activity intersect with itself? I must be at the Nexus of the universe!

    • 1994 March 26, 2020 (8:59 pm)

      1. Could one walk to the park to take a walk? Not everyone is capable to do this, use your imagination on that2. How can the same activity intersect with itself? Only in the minds of some3. I must be at the Nexus of the universe! Get over yourself! and have some compassion for those who can’t walk to the park!

      • Jethro Marx March 26, 2020 (10:40 pm)

        I am sorry compassion was lacking in my comment; you’ll have to chalk it up to my innate irreverence and odd penchant for weaving obscure references into my chatter. (See Seinfeld) I’ll have to admit I’m still confused as to why someone who wanted to (and was able to) walk would feel like they need to get in an Uber to ride to a special walk area first.  But that’s Alki Resident, who after all would not need a very long Uber ride, what? Strange times abound.

  • John March 26, 2020 (6:43 pm)

    Basically seals off the park two people with children, disabled people, or the elderly. 

    • Alki resident March 26, 2020 (11:57 pm)

      YES….exactly why I said what I said. I am local to the park, I can walk to the park and will but others aren’t as lucky. I have been doing my part and I can also go out to get fresh air and walk off my built up energy. And can do so without running into people at the park.  The handicap and elderly deserve to get there too. 

  • Lena March 27, 2020 (10:01 am)

    To describe how someone can’t walk to the park but can walk in the park.  I have young onset Parkinson’s disease and something that is common with it called toe dystonia.  After about a block my toes cramp and I no longer can walk without sitting for a moment or two.  For some weird reason those of us with dystonia can walk further on dirt trails.  So if I park in the lot at Lincoln Park I can sometimes even walk for about 20 minutes on trails.  If I park on the street I may not even make it to the parking lot and crossing the street to go back to my car may be hoping on one foot.  So I walk the block in front of my house over and over again.  I realize the world does not revolve around me.  Would still love to be able to use the parks though.

    • Jethro Marx March 27, 2020 (3:13 pm)

      If Delridge isn’t too far, I highly recommend the ample street parking and lovely (mostly dirt) trails that make up the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail. Some sections are flatter than others, but it sees little use and is beautiful country.

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