Amenities
Trails Dog Off Leash Areas Grills Play Area Restrooms Views Hand Carry Boat Launches Motorized Boat Launches Fishing piers Volleyball Courts Fire Pits Picnic Sites Art in the Park Drinking fountainsImages
About
Beach fires are permitted in summer, and are legal in City fire rings only. Rings are unlocked generally between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Located in Ballard on Puget Sound, this popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. This park features two wetlands, a short loop trail, and restored the northern beach. Golden Gardens offers strolls along a rugged coastline, hikes through forest trails, sunbathing on sandy beaches, fishing from a pier and a boat launch consisting of 300' of shoreline at south end of park. The park is also home to an off-leash area for dogs in the upper northern portion of the park. Dogs are not allowed on beaches, or children's play areas in Seattle parks, per the Seattle Municipal Code.
History
The park was named by and developed by Harry W. Treat in 1907 as an "attraction" at the end of the new electric car lines being built by realtors to induce townfolk to take a "Sunday outing" out of town and through the woods to a picnic or swim at a beach. (Along the way they were made aware of the real estate available!) The Carbine ended at Loyal Way (& 85th) with a steep twisting dusty path down into the park - or those owning a "tin lizzie" could drive down a dusty county road (approximately the present drive entering the upper park from the north) and down to a small parking area on the east side of the railroad tracks, then by foot across the tracks to the beach. At that time the northern half of Meadow Point (named by the Coast Guard) was the site of a shipyard until 1913. To the south the beach curved in along the railroad seaway - all the way to Salmon Bay. The State owns the tidelands south of the park, with boat works and yards by the Bay.
Beach Volleyball Court Use
Visit our reservation site to quickly create an account, view availability and reserve a court. Filter the search by the preferred date and time, and all courts that do not have a current reservation will pop up. The court fee is $8/hr, per court. Players must bring their own nets and ball.
Golden Gardens Park has four reservable courts in front of the bathhouse. An additional two are set aside for free drop-in play on a first come, first served basis. These drop-in courts are the two not directly in front of the bathhouse. This aerial photo shows reservable court numbers.
Questions? Please contact athleticfieldscheduling@seattle.gov
Golden Gardens Park Off-Leash Area
Golden Gardens one acre off-leash area is located in the upper northern portion of the park and is a popular destination for dogs. The area includes a wide-open space covered in wood chips for playing and running. Trees are scattered throughout the off-leash area. Tables, benches and a small covered area offer places to rest and protection on rainy days. Parking and a restroom are nearby.