WEST SEATTLE PARKS: Where to go to enjoy sun, avoid crowds

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo – Myrtle Reservoir Park, Thursday evening)

That’s the south side of Myrtle Reservoir Park – one of the West Seattle park/open space sites where you can go and enjoy the sun while keeping at a safe distance from your fellow parkgoers. After all the discussion about Alki crowds this week – and looking ahead at a rainless weekend – we thought spotlighting other spacious areas might be helpful. Myrtle, for example, has walkways and open fields, next to (and over) water-storage facilities. It’s at 35th/Myrtle – and as you can see on the map, Walt Hundley Playfield, one block east at 34th/Myrtle, is spacious too .

Further south, the Southwest Athletic Complex – which is actually a Seattle Public Schools facility – stretches from the stadium (2801 SW Thistle) westward to the big open field where Denny International Middle School used to be. If you want a north-facing water view, Jack Block Park (2130 Harbor SW) – which is a Port of Seattle site – has lots of walkways and overlooks – though some repair work might still be under way. The lodge at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) is closed but the park has trails and a big open field. Those are just a few of many alternatives to the most-popular spots. More recommendations? Please add yours below!

SIDE NOTE: The definitive guide to Seattle parks was written by one of your neighbors, West Seattleite Linnea Westerlind – we featured her book “Discovering Seattle Parks: A Local’s Guide” when it was published in 2017. She also has a website, Year of Seattle Parks. If you don’t already have her book, you might check with one of West Seattle’s independent booksellers – both selling books via pickup and delivery!

J March 20, 2020 (11:22 am)

Anyone see Cuomo’s address to the state just a bit ago? I love his leadership, compassion and practicality. Let’s all be New Yorkers today. There is so much more that can be done to save lives.

Bradley March 20, 2020 (2:55 pm)

Governor Cuomo took things too far, as did Governor Newsom, and the Connecticut and Pennsylvania Governors. What we’re doing here in Washington State is enough, but gatherings should be greatly reduced to 5-10, maximum. I do think that all clothing and shoe stores should be shut down, as well. But ordering all businesses and manufacturing to cease is going to cause more mayhem than the virus. Inslee’s current order is sufficient and already slowing down the spread.
- WSB March 20, 2020 (3:15 pm)
  
  Next governor announcement at 4:30. “Gov. Jay Inslee will address media today via streaming video and telephone to lay out new protections for at-risk employees during the COVID-19 outbreak.” So we’ll see in an hour-plus what’s next. Coverage here as it happens.

Pdxmark March 20, 2020 (11:26 am)

Dragonfly Pavilion is quite nice and quiet!

JKK March 20, 2020 (12:34 pm)

Reminder, these are NOT off leash dog parks…. I’m so tired of going to parks to walk my dog on leash, and SOME people think they are impervious to rules that help keep others safe. “I know my dog is fine and wont hurt other dogs” … well… what about the other person that maybe got attacked by a dog at some point in their life, and has a fear of dogs running at them even if they are “fine with people and dogs” …. think of other people.. and LEASH your dogs, so our vets aren’t overrun with issues on top of all of the virus stuff.

A-Lex March 20, 2020 (1:37 pm)

Exactly. My dog is always on a leash. She’s perfectly fine around 9 out of 10 dogs, but you Do Not want your dog to be the 10th dog.
RCS March 20, 2020 (2:51 pm)

And heeeerrrre we go…..
- JKK March 20, 2020 (5:19 pm)
  
  And my point exactly. RCS thinks they are the exception to the rule. I was just trying to say that we should all be respectful of everyone as there are a lot of people walking dogs. We don’t need accidents or emergencies happen that could have been prevented by being responsible and respectful.

bloo March 20, 2020 (1:03 pm)

Thank you, WSB. This is very helpful and informative. And J – I agree with you. I am from NJ and still have strong ties to that region. I have great admiration for Gov. Cuomo.

Pete March 20, 2020 (1:11 pm)

Also miles and miles of trails along the west duwamish greenbelt that almost no one uses.

Person March 20, 2020 (2:58 pm)

We went hiking today. It was busy. The groups of 3-5 immediate family members felt OK, but the many large groups of 3 or 4 giant families together, moms with an entire neighborhood of children or young people in groups of 6+ did not feel like social distancing. Got to get close on narrow parts of the trail.

MJ March 20, 2020 (6:10 pm)

The Seattle waterfront is eerily quiet, a good day for bike ride

kj March 20, 2020 (7:56 pm)

Jefferson Park on Beacon Hill has great walking paths

Dude March 21, 2020 (9:26 am)

But, wait. If you tell everyone where to go to avoid the crowds – won’t that create the crowds you are trying to avoid? I mean, you ARE the crowd. Amiright? Or is your strategy a clever reversy whereby you tell everyone to go there and then, knowing they won’t, you will have the place to yourself? Sort of a backwards pump-and-dump?

Parent of 2 March 21, 2020 (2:53 pm)

What happens if there are kids going to playgrounds? Will they get in trouble

WSB March 21, 2020 (2:56 pm)

The absolute reality is there’s no way to enforce so it’s really up to everyone to self-police. It technically is a violation of law at some point – misdemeanor, I think – but I don’t believe they have police writing tickets.

Sorry, comment time is over.