The City has announced more parking lot closures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including Carkeek and the Golden Gardens off-leash area.
All parks remain open, but residents are encouraged to visit their local parks, or bike/walk to areas where parking lots are closed.
Parking lots at eight popular parks around the city (including Golden Gardens beach) were closed a couple weeks ago, but the additional closures are being enforced to further encourage people to visit parks closer to home.
The new closures include all parking lots along Lake Washington Boulevard; in Washington Park Arboretum, at Stan Sayers Boat Ramp (boat ramp also closed); at Carkeek, Kubota, Woodland Park, and Volunteer parks; and at the West Seattle Stadium.
The eight parking lots that closed in late March include Green Lake, Lincoln, Golden Gardens, Seward, Magnuson (including the boat launch), Gas Works, Alki Beach (including Don Armeni boat launch), and Discovery parks.
Seattle Parks says residents are encouraged to visit any of other 450 local neighborhood parks, or to bike or walk to the larger destination parks, which will remain open for public use.
“Many of us have been doing a great job at enjoying the outdoors while also practicing social distancing, but we are still observing crowds at some of our larger parks, and pick-up games on fields and courts,” Seattle Parks Superintendent Jesus Aguirre said in a statement about the new closures. “We urge you to visit parks closer to home or take walks in your neighborhood. Continuing our social distancing practices is critical to the health of those most vulnerable in our community.”
Seattle Parks staff and Seattle Police will be monitoring popular parks to encourage social distancing.