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green
lake park |
| Seattle, WA |
| As an occasional outing or a regular
workout location the park at Green Lake has some real
strengths. The central location and accessible facilities
make it is easy to use the park. The layout of
the park
allows a broad range of activities for all ages. |
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From a logistical perspective, it is an easy outing to plan. The facilities
are generally close to parking. There are rest rooms strategically located
throughout the park. Hunger and thirst are easily satisfied through the variety
of small quaint restaurants just across the street from the park.
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| Because there is a path encircling
the entire lake, the park is well arranged for taking
a walk or a run that is real exercise. It measures
out at 2.8 miles. Bikes and rollerblading are also
popular and there are separate lanes for wheeled vs.
foot traffic. Pedestrians have a choice of paved and
unpaved paths that run side by side next to the lake.
Dogs on leashes are also allowed and it is a popular
place for walking pets. |
| The grounds on either side of the path are also usually full of activity. Fishing
is a popular activity especially on the west bank of the lake. Sunbathers frequent
the beaches, but also the high grassy areas on the east bank. There are formal
and informal facilities for everything from basketball to hacky sack and there
are small boats available for rent. Musicians often play everything from folk
guitars to flutes and people watching is a rewarding activity as well. |
| It's
not a place for a wilderness experience. It's a city
park, albeit a lovely one because of the lake, and
most of the criticisms stem from this. The park can
be crowded at peak times. Peak times would be weekends
and late afternoon on any nice day and most times
during summer if the weather is good. The path can
be very crowded and people may get in your way. Sometimes
the problem is the pace of the people on the path,
whether too fast or too slow for your preference. |
| Other times it is the failure to respect the division of the path between
wheeled vehicles and pedestrians. Whether it is the skaters/bikers/rollerbladers
or the walkers/joggers/runners who aren't conscientious about staying on their
own side, the results are the same. There are near misses (and probably collisions)
between modes of transportation that are not well suited to share the same
space. |
| by Dianne Bengtson |
| photography by Steve Robertson |
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No admission fee
Best parking
lots are at southwest corner of lake on both sides
of street.
Do not allow pets to drink from
Greenlake.
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