Three reader reports from Lincoln Park

Thanks to the three readers who sent photos and info about three Lincoln Park sightings, starting with tree trouble:

Huge fallen oak tree limb on the north stairs at Lincoln Park, the ones that were recently closed for the stair maintenance

From another reader, this sighting of what appears to be a poisonous weed:

Sharing a safety alert: there is a lot of poison hemlock growing in Lincoln Park between the south playfield and south restroom. The one by the restroom (NW corner) would be especially easy for a small child or a dog to snag a piece of and eat. The bigger patch (south of field, north of the concrete) is also very exposed. I’ve alerted Parks and King County noxious weeds department but unsure how quickly these will be addressed so thought you may want to post a warning.

Here’s a closer look at, and more information about, this plant.

Finally, from Dawn, who spotted this on the shore:

Panels coming down at Colman.

As we reported a month ago, Saturday is the first preseason-weekend day for the only city-owned outdoor salt-water swimming facility, Colman Pool, but you’ll see activity there tomorrow too (Friday, May 9, 6:20 pm) as the West Seattle Water Polo team hosts a home game!

EmmyGee May 8, 2025 (9:50 pm)

If that plant’s stalk has purple splotches, it’s poison hemlock. I plan to tackle a bunch at Solstice Park soon to avoid a problem we’ve seen before: a well-intended Seattle Parks staff mowing them right as they go to seed, making the problem so much worse 🤦. King County’s Noxious Weeds team made a video about how to safely dig up and dispose of poison hemlock (on their Instagram page, May 2024, in case this link doesn’t work): https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7XOowEv87J/?igsh=MWYyZGV3YWpxcTJmMA==

JustSarah May 9, 2025 (5:32 am)

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Yep, I’m the one who reported and am confident it’s poison hemlock. I sent WSB several pics; here’s one with some of the splotches circled. Couldn’t get super close because my curious dog was with me. There was a patch of it by the fields last year I also reported, but it’s obviously spread this year. I’m keeping an eye on it and someone who’s familiar with removing it offered to do so next week if it’s still there (I’ll be apprenticing, lol).