Richmond Beach Saltwater Park

Location: North Sound/Shoreline
Address: N.W. 190th St. and 20th Ave. N.W., Shoreline
Acreage: 39.34

There aren’t many spots in the Seattle area where dog owners can take their pets off-leash along the waterfront. The city of Shoreline’s creative solution is to have a seasonal off-leash area at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park during winter months when the park doesn’t receive nearly as many visitors as spring and summer.  The season ends on March 15 (you’ll have to wait until Nov. 1 otherwise.), so the next two weeks are the time to check it out. The area is about 300 feet long to the south of the pedestrian overpass that gives you access to the beach.

Dog or no dog, this is a great park for everyone with a play area for kids, interesting art, some short hillside trails and a beautiful stretch of beach along the Puget Sound. On a clear day, look west to see the snow-dusted Olympic Mountains.

Before you leave the park, walk the trail along the bluff (on the other side of the fence near the entrance to the park). Head south and in a few hundred feet you’ll find another spectacular viewpoint.

#449 (Visited 3/14/14)