Location: Northwest Seattle/Ballard
Address: 3015 N.W. 54th St.
Acreage: 10+
Known more casually as the Ballard Locks, this is one of the coolest public spaces in Seattle. And, amazingly, many long-time residents have never visited the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks to discover how the level of Lake Washington and Lake Union can be on average 21 feet higher than Puget Sound.
The mystery is revealed as you cross the metal walkways and peer down at the two locks that open and close to let boat traffic in and out. The locks are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and have been in operation for almost 100 years. As you can imagine, this is a very busy place on a sunny summer day with boats of all sizes tying up to the locks while dozens of people watch their captains perform under pressure. This is the best time of year to visit, but this is such an interesting public space that it is worth a visit in each season.
The locks straddle Lake Washington’s Ship Canal just before it opens up to the Puget Sound. You can enter the park either from Ballard at the north end or from Magnolia to the south. If you enter from the Ballard side, you’ll first cross through a lovely green park with trees and a botanical garden. The grassy hills make a great perch for watching boats and also a nice picnic spot.
Be sure to cross all the way across the locks to the Magnolia side, where kids will love seeing the water rushing down through the locks just before arriving at the fish ladder. Summer is the best time to spot salmon climbing the 21-step ladder as they return to the lake to spawn. Sea lions are often seen snacking near the fish’s entrance to the ladder. Kids will also enjoy running around the impressive sculptures mimicking waves by Paul Sorey that are just above the fish ladder.
From the Magnolia side of the locks, you can connect to Commodore Park. For a longer walk, Discovery Park is less than a mile from here on foot.
Hiram was a U.S. Army Major and Seattle District Engineer at the turn of the last century. If you are like my father-in-law who is totally captivated by the locks, you can read much more about the locks in this article. A visitors center provides additional information, and free tours are also available March through November. Paid parking is available just off N.W. 54th St.
#401 (Visited 11/17/13)
AWESOME new site! It looks great!