Location: East Central Seattle/Madison Park
Address: 39th Ave. E. and E. Harrison St.
Acreage: approx. 0.2
I almost feel guilty writing about this very secret park with waterfront access on Lake Washington. And, it almost wants to stay undiscovered, because if you put its address at 39th Ave. E. and E. Harrison St. into Google Maps, you won’t find it.
This public street end has a wonderful flat sandy beach and small grass picnic area. Look for the public access sign on 39th Ave. E. and then follow a narrow trail that leads through the woods and opens up on the beach.
On the September day I visited with my kids, we watched two women in wet suits come in from a long swim from Madison Park. The water was still warm and inviting. I could have dived right in. But, I’ll be back next summer, and I’m crossing my fingers that I will still find a quiet, secret spot.
#394 (Visited 9/13/2013)
[…] It’s not uncommon for Seattleites to embrace the outdoors on the grayest of days. So, when the sun magically forces its way through the clouds, don’t be surprised if you find yourself competing with half of the city for a spot on the nearby beaches to soak up the glorious rays. Skip the popular Alki Beach, Golden Gardens and Madison Park for a secluded spot even few locals know about, the aptly named Secret Beach. […]
I grew up on the south-east corner of East Lee and East 39th. It was such a joy to walk with my dad or grandfather from home to the beach, watch and feed the ducks, sit on the beach and watch the comings and goings of all manner of boats/ships on the lake. I still (age 74 and living in British Columbia) have a tender spot in my heart and memories for those visits, ducks, and the relative quiet available in the early 1950s.
Thanks for sharing, Connie!