Lincoln Park

Location: West Seattle
Address: 8011 Fauntleroy Ave. S.W.
Acreage: 135.4

With five miles of walking/hiking trails, most with spectacular views of the Puget Sound, and the area’s only saltwater swimming pool, how can you blame me for saying Lincoln Park is my favorite (yes, absolute favorite) Seattle park?

Look at West Seattle on a map and Lincoln Park is the nose-shaped protrusion on the western side of the peninsula. If you’ve ever taken the ferry to Vashon Island, you’ve probably sat in Fauntleroy ferry line and enjoyed the view of that expanse of beach just south that is Lincoln Park.

I’m happy to let you in on all the cool things about this park. First, the views of the Sound, the islands and the Olympic Mountains. Second, the chance to see nature unlike other parks in Seattle, including seals, Orca whales and a wide variety of birds. Third, good amenities like picnic shelters, ball fields, two playgrounds including a mini zip-line, a wading pool, horseshoe pits and Colman Pool, the salt water swimming pool.

Speaking of that pool, it used to just be a big dug out hole according to the city. City officials wanted to get rid of it because the fire department had to periodically hose all the mud and gunk out. Luckily, a donor stepped forward to turn it into a real swimming pool in 1941. It still is pumped full of salt water that’s heated to a very comfortable temperature. But, you’ll have to wait until next Memorial Day weekend to try it out–the pool is only open for a few months each summer.

Despite my obsession with Colman Pool, actually what I really like best here is walking along the forested bluff, and then taking a winding trail down that spills out onto the long rocky beach. Then, following the shoreline, I watch the waves gently roll. Try it for yourself.

#206 (Visited 6/25/10)