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Seattle, Washington / Parks and outdoors

Green Lake Park

A beloved 324-acre urban sanctuary featuring a 2.8-mile paved loop, swimming beaches, and a glacial history dating back 50,000 years.

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Green Lake Park
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What is Green Lake Park known for?

Green Lake Park is one of Seattle's most beloved urban parks, featuring a 2.8-mile paved walking path that is considered the city's most popular running path. It is also known for its expanse of water and green space in a dense urban neighborhood.

What are the hours for Green Lake Park?

The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

What activities can I do there?

Visitors can use the 2.8-mile paved walking path for running and walking, visit two swimming beaches and a wading pool, or use non-motorized boating access. Other suitable activities include day hiking, sea kayaking, trail running, and urban adventure.

Is it accessible?

Yes, the park provides accessible parking and accessible restrooms.

Where is the best place to park?

The main parking area is located at the Evans Pool at Latona Ave and East Green Lake Dr.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Green Lake Park is one of Seattle's most beloved urban escapes, serving as a sanctuary for quiet enjoyment of nature within a dense neighborhood. The 324-acre site was part of John Charles Olmsted's 1903 plan to create a twenty-mile-long system of parks and boulevards. Geologists state that the lake itself was formed approximately 50,000 years ago by the Vashon Glacial Ice Sheet, which also shaped the Puget Sound. Following the Olmsted Brothers' planning, the park officially opened in 1911. Over the next 15 years, the lake underwent significant modifications; it was diked, dredged, and filled, resulting in a shrinkage of nearly 100 acres. Interestingly, the final fill deposits came from the excavation of Aurora Avenue. In 1917, James Frederick Dawson proposed the continuous path that now defines the park's layout. Today, the park is a hub of activity, featuring a 2.8-mile paved walking and running path that is considered Seattle's most popular running path. The shoreline is traced by a meandering path edged by gently graded lawns and irregularly planted deciduous canopy trees. Visitors can enjoy sport courts, two swimming beaches, a wading pool, and non-motorized boating access. As a contributing feature of the Seattle Parks and Boulevard System, the park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. It continues to draw thousands of daily visitors who come for day hiking, trail running, and urban adventure.

Visitor tips

  • The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.
  • Use the main parking area located at Evans Pool on Latona Ave and East Green Lake Dr.
  • Check the park's swimming beach page for current seasonal schedules.
  • Accessible parking and restrooms are available on-site.

Nearby context

Located in the center of a dense urban neighborhood, the park is bordered by the Green Lake Community Center on its east side.

Sources

Evidence and links