List of parks in Seattle facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The city of Seattle, Washington, is home to many amazing parks! These green spaces offer fun places to play, explore nature, and learn about history. Seattle has parks managed by different groups, including the National Park Service and the city's own Parks and Recreation department.

National Parks in Seattle

Seattle has one special park that is part of the National Park Service, which looks after important historical and natural places across the United States.

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

This park was created in 1976 and is located in Pioneer Square. It's one of four parts of a larger national historical park. The other three parts are far away in Skagway, Alaska. This park helps tell the story of the exciting Klondike Gold Rush, when many people traveled north hoping to find gold.

City Parks in Seattle

Most of Seattle's parks are managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation, a city department. Some bike and walking trails are looked after by the Seattle Department of Transportation or by both departments together. There are also waterfront parks managed by the Port of Seattle, which handles the city's busy port.

Seattle's oldest park is Denny Park, and its biggest is Discovery Park. Here are some of the most interesting city parks:

Discovery Park

Opened in 1973, Discovery Park is Seattle's largest park, covering about 534 acres. It's located in Magnolia and offers stunning views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. You can find forests, beaches, and open meadows here, making it a great place for hiking and wildlife watching.

Denny Park

Denny Park is Seattle's oldest park, established way back in 1883. It's in the South Lake Union area. Interestingly, the park was completely flattened in 1930 during a huge project called the Denny Regrade, which changed the shape of the city's hills.

Gas Works Park

Located in Wallingford, Gas Works Park opened in 1975. This park is really unique because it was built on the site of an old gas plant! Instead of tearing everything down, the city kept some of the old industrial structures and turned them into a cool, playful landscape. It's a popular spot for picnics and offers amazing views of the Seattle skyline.

Freeway Park

Opened in 1976, Freeway Park is a special park in Downtown and First Hill. What makes it unique? It's built right over Interstate 5! This park helps connect different parts of the city and offers a peaceful green space above the busy highway.

Green Lake Park

Green Lake Park was established in 1903 in the Green Lake neighborhood. It's a very popular park centered around a beautiful lake. People love to walk, run, or bike around the lake on its paved path, and you can often see rowboats and paddleboards on the water.

Kubota Garden

Found in Rainier Beach, Kubota Garden was started in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota, a Japanese-American gardener. It became a public park in 1987. This 20-acre garden is a peaceful oasis with beautiful waterfalls, ponds, and bridges, designed in a traditional Japanese style.

Seattle Center

While not a traditional park, Seattle Center is a large public space opened in 1962 in Lower Queen Anne. It covers about 74 acres and is managed by its own city department. It's home to famous landmarks like the Space Needle, museums, theaters, and fountains, often hosting festivals and events.

Seattle Japanese Garden

Opened in 1960, the Seattle Japanese Garden is a beautiful 3.5-acre garden located within Washington Park Arboretum in Madison Park. It's a tranquil place designed to look like a traditional Japanese garden, with carefully placed plants, rocks, and water features.

Seward Park

Seward Park was established in 1911 in the Seward Park neighborhood. This large park, covering 300 acres, is located on a peninsula in Lake Washington. It's known for its old-growth forest, walking trails, and beautiful views of the lake.

Volunteer Park

In the Capitol Hill neighborhood, Volunteer Park opened in 1901. It's a lovely park with a conservatory, a water tower with a viewpoint, and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. It's a great place to relax and enjoy nature in the city.

Washington Park Arboretum

The Washington Park Arboretum was created in 1934 and spans across Montlake, Madison Valley, and Washington Park. This large, 230-acre park is a living museum of plants and trees. It's managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation, the University of Washington, and the Arboretum Foundation.

Woodland Park

Woodland Park opened in 1902 in the Phinney Ridge and Green Lake areas. It's a big park that is also home to the famous Woodland Park Zoo. It's connected to Green Lake Park, offering even more space for outdoor activities.

Other Non-Profit Parks

Besides city and national parks, some parks in Seattle are run by schools or other non-profit groups.

Olympic Sculpture Park

The Olympic Sculpture Park opened in 2007 in Belltown. It's a 9-acre park operated by the Seattle Art Museum. Here, you can walk among large, interesting sculptures with amazing views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Woodland Park Zoo

While part of Woodland Park, the Woodland Park Zoo is operated by a non-profit organization. It's a popular place where you can see animals from all over the world and learn about wildlife conservation.

Private Parks

Some parks in Seattle are owned and maintained by private individuals or organizations, but they are still open for everyone to enjoy!

Waterfall Garden Park

Opened in 1978, Waterfall Garden Park is a small, peaceful park in Pioneer Square. It's famous for its beautiful 22-foot man-made waterfall, offering a quiet escape in the middle of the city.

Other Parks

O.O. Denny Park

O.O. Denny Park was established in 1922 and is owned by Seattle. However, it's currently managed by the nearby city of Kirkland. It's a lovely 46-acre park with access to Lake Washington.

Images for kids

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Pioneer Square.
Alki Beach Park.
Alvin Larkins Park.
Beer Sheva Park.
Bryant Playground.
The Burke–Gilman Trail.
Cal Anderson Park.
Carkeek Park.
Cascade Playground.
The Chief Sealth Trail.
City Hall Park.
Colman Park.
Cowen Park.
Denny Park.
Denny-Blaine Park.
Discovery Park.
Dr. Jose Rizal Park.
East Montlake Park.
Fairview Park.
Freeway Park.
Fremont Peak Park.
Frink Park.
Gas Works Park.
Golden Gardens Park.
Green Lake Park.
Hamilton Viewpoint.
Hing Hay Park.
I-5 Colonnade.
Interlaken Park.
Jack Block Park.
Jackson Park.
Jefferson Park.
Kerry Park.
Kinnear Park.
Kiwanis Ravine.
Kobe Terrace.
Kubota Garden.
Lake People Park.
Lake Union Park.
Lakeview Park.
Leschi Park.
Licton Springs.
Lincoln Park.
Louisa Boren Park.
Madison Park.
Madrona Park.
Magnuson Park.
Matthews Beach Park.
McCurdy Park.
Me-Kwa-Mooks Park.
Meridian Playground.
Montlake Playfield.
Myrtle Edwards Park.
North Passage Point Park.
Northacres Park.
Northeast 130th Street Beach.
Occidental Park.
Oxbow Park.
Peace Park.
Ravenna Park.
Roanoke Park.
Schmitz Park.
Seattle Center.
Seattle Japanese Garden.
Seward Park.
South Passage Point Park.
Terry Pettus Park.
Tilikum Place.
Victor Steinbrueck Park.
Viretta Park.
Volunteer Park.
Washington Park Arboretum.
Waterfront Park.
Westlake Park.
West Montlake Park.
Woodland Park.
Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens.
Olympic Sculpture Park.
Union Bay Natural Area.
Woodland Park Zoo.
Streissguth Gardens.
Waterfall Garden Park.
O.O. Denny Park.

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List of parks in Seattle Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.