FOLLOWUP: Wood chips or gravel? And other next steps toward West Seattle’s second official dog park

We went to the site of West Seattle’s future second official dog park (aka off-leash area) toward the end of Thursday’s lightly attended “open house” to get a quick in-person update on what’s next for the project, currently planned for construction next year. (If you’ve missed previous reports, this is in an area south of the West Seattle Stadium parking lot at 4432 35th SW, for which it’s currently used as overflow parking.)

The project team told us this is the last public meeting before construction next summer/fall. The main purpose was to show the “schematic design” they’ve settled on (on the easel shown above, plus page 8 in this slide deck), from the three possibilities they had shown previously. The main changes include an added pathway plus “more developed drainage.” And they still have a few things to decide, such as gravel vs. wood chips; both have their upsides and downsides, fans and detractors.

They also want potential future users to know that an area in the northwest section of the site is still planned for a small lot where city EVs can recharge. No public access, they said. (At one point, you might recall, the entire site was under consideration for a city EV lot INSTEAD of the dog park.)

For one last round of feedback, they now have an online survey you can answer here, and the project webpage features an explanatory video walking you through the current plan. The survey’s open until June 23.

7 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Wood chips or gravel? And other next steps toward West Seattle's second official dog park"

  • Ihhh June 6, 2025 (2:05 pm)

    I’m sorry to have missed this! We are very excited to have a dog park in this area. It is a great addition to the community.

  • Tracey June 6, 2025 (2:36 pm)

    Curious.  I grew up elsewhere and all dog parks in my home town were grass.  Why the options of wood chips or gravel?

    • bolo June 6, 2025 (3:19 pm)

      Did it rain a lot in your hometown?

      Grass + rain + a lot of dogs = Mud pit.

      • Tracey June 6, 2025 (3:49 pm)

        I suspect the number of dogs is the key.  Off leash area square footage per dog was substantially more.  Combine that with winter rainfall vs snow and there you have it.

  • Admiral Nelson June 6, 2025 (6:11 pm)

    I’m still waiting for the new playground at Hiawatha… Not holding my breath for this project.

  • Joel June 7, 2025 (11:55 am)

    Hopefully not crushed rock. That’s why we stopped going to Westcrest. Our dog hated it when they changed it.

  • N June 7, 2025 (1:50 pm)

    I hope it is Good Soft pea gravel for adequate drainage. Unfortunately wood chips can splinter with age and the elements.

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