At the E Cherry “pop-up” dog park
The Central District’s Powell Barnett Park has made the short list for much-awaited new off-leash dog areas in Seattle.
The MLK Way park is the only District 3 location to make the list of nine final sites being considered after years of process by Seattle Parks. The final candidates joining Powell Barnett on the list include the Discovery Park North Parking Lot, View Ridge Playfield, East Queen Anne Playground, Ravenna Park, West Seattle Stadium, Brighton Playfield, Lincoln Park, and Othello Park.
CHS reported here on the high demand for Capitol Hill dog families that has turned Cal Anderson and Volunteer Park into sometimes rogue off-leash areas and the long process from the city to study and designate new sites. CHS also found one Central District dog park opened on the down low by an area developer on property awaiting future construction.
The parks department says the Powell Barnett site would be the lawn area on the north end of the park near its Play Area, Comfort Station, Basketball Court, and Wading Pool.
“Adjacency to the 23rd & Union-Jackson Residential Urban Village means this site would serve many dog owners in an area with growing density and public transit availability,” the city study results state. But possible issues include no dedicated off-street parking at Powell Barnett that “could lead to additional traffic and double-parking in the neighborhood.”
(Image: City of Seattle)
At Powell Barnett, not everyone is excited about the prospect of a new off-leash area. Organizers of the Powell Barnett Park Legacy Project have asked people to push back on the plan.
The parks department is collecting feedback on the candidate sites here through the end of July.
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I submitted the survey but am repeating here: it seems odd that Cal Anderson did not make the list. Currently the entire grass area to the east of water features is a de facto OLA; might as well identify and cordon off a portion. It’s common to see 4 dogs utilizing that entire area, making it awkward for picnickers and kids who want to toss things.
None of the options that were provided serve Capitol Hill, so just write in the option for an off leash area in Cal Anderson. It is going to exist irregardless of their support.
Many of suggested locations will be great for people who are local to those parks; many of the locations suggested lack parking.
The other option is the lawn that had been proposed previously that is north of Volunteer park that is adjacent to the cemetery.
City cares more about dogs than humans. There’s TOO many dog parks. Stop owning dogs if you don’t have space for them. This is ridiculous.
I wonder why they didn’t look at Dr. Blanche Lavizzo Park? The space feels underutilized even in summer.
Thomas Street mini Park and Broadway Hill Park
It really is an insult to have Powell Barnett Park become a dog park. As African Americans we have had bad experiences with dogs. In the Civil Rights movement dogs were used against us big time etc.
So please have your dogs run free somewhere else.