Artist seeking community input for art work at Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area (OLDA)

Artist JoEllen Wang will be creating an Art Fence at the newly refurbished Shoreview Park Off Leash Dog Area (OLDA). She's in the concept design phase of the project and is seeking input from the community.

You may have already talked to her at the ribbon cutting event on Saturday, May 10, 2025 - but here's another opportunity to share your thoughts.

Visitors to the OLDA Ribbon cutting
Photos by Kristine Tsujikawa

Anyone with an interest in dog parks is invited to fill out a short survey which is online here.

The survey is open until May 23, 2025 at 5pm.

The Shoreview OLDA is located adjacent to Shoreview Park at 700 NW Innis Arden Way, Seattle, WA 98177

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Toby takes the bus to the dog park

 

Photo by Seattle Poppy

Practically his own private chauffeur

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Shoreview Dog Park grand opening May 10, 2025

Join us on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 11:00am to 12:30pm (ribbon cutting at 11:15am) as we celebrate the reopening of Shoreview Off-Leash Area! 

This is the third project completed as part of the 2022 Parks Bond measure.

First opened in 2009 as one of the 2006 park bond projects, the Shoreview Off-Leash Area is a much loved park facility. 

Improvements include new shade structures, an accessible path, benches, and a new parking lot.

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Businessman sponsored taco truck at Shoreline dog park for opening after improvements

Free tacos and tennis balls
Photo by Seattle Poppy

Visitors to the Shoreview Off Leash Dog Park on Saturday, March 22, 2025 were treated to free tacos (humans) and tennis balls (dogs) courtesy of businessman Chris Hatch of Hatch Fence Rentals. 

His company provided the fencing for the park and Tacos were served by Taqueria Puebla.

Chris Hatch is the Owner of Hatch Fence Rentals LLC where they specialize in Temporary Construction Fence Rentals. 

He is a 29-year-old from Issaquah, WA with 7+ years of experience in the Construction Industry. 

He started Hatch Fence Rentals LLC in August 2023 to give customers a company to count on for their Temporary Fence needs while also providing them affordable pricing! 

The Shoreview OLD park has been closed to the public since August 12, 2024 for planned improvements to all areas of the dog park.

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Views of Shoreview dog park (OLDA)

Entrance to Shoreview dog park
Photo by Keith McGlashan

Thanks to Keith McGlashan for these drone views of the newly remodeled Shoreview Off Leash Dog Area (OLDA)

The park offers sun and shade
Photo by Keith McGlashan

The dog park is long and narrow, with large evergreens on each side providing shade at different times during the day.

Photo by Keith McGlashan

There is a small covered area with a bench in the middle, for owners to keep an eye on their dogs. A path for owners runs through the park.

Photo by Keith McGlashan

There is a generous parking lot for patrons.

The dog park is adjacent to Shoreview Park, 700 NW Innis Arden Way, Shoreline WA 98177

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Shoreview Off-Leash Dog Area (OLDA) reopens

Shoreview dog park reopened Saturday

The Shoreview Off-Leash Dog Area (OLDA) reopened on Saturday January 18, 2025. 

The dog park is located adjacent to Shoreview Park at 700 NW Innis Arden Way, Seattle, WA 98177

Most improvements were completed significantly ahead of schedule, making this the third 2022 Parks Bond project to be delivered to Shoreline residents.

Be aware that some park features are in fabrication and will be installed as soon as the city takes delivery on them. There may be brief closures to some areas during installation.

Due to site constraints, there is no water access to the site yet. The city is considering options to provide water.

Thank you for your patience as we make the final additions to the park. 

Learn about other park bond projects here 

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Eastside Off-Leash Dog Park at Fircrest to close end of December 2024

Since 2013, the City of Shoreline has had an agreement with the Washington State Department of

Social and Health Services (DSHS) to use their land at Fircrest for an off-leash dog area (OLDA).

That agreement is ending and the Eastside OLDA will close permanently at the end of this year. 

DSHS is making improvements to their property and plan to use the land for other purposes.

The closure of the Eastside OLDA follows the temporary closure of the Shoreview Park OLDA, which will be closed until the summer of 2025 for construction of improvements as part of the 2022 Park Bond.

We understand how important these dog-friendly areas are in our community. Fortunately, we have a new off-leash dog area on the eastside at Ridgecrest Park that opened over the summer.

The 2022 park bond helps fund improvements to our local parks and off-leash dog areas. After completing all the 2022 park bond projects, we will have three year-round OLDAs and one seasonal OLDA in Shoreline.

Current locations:

• Ridgecrest Park, 108 NE 161st St
• Richmond Beach Saltwater Park (seasonal Nov. 1 – Mar. 15), 2021 NW 190th St

Upcoming locations:

• Shoreview Park (reopening Summer 2025), 700 NW Innis Arden Way
• James Keough, 2350 N 167th St (anticipated opening the end of 2025)

Learn more about 2022 Park Bonds Projects here

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Shoreline Parks Bond: Check out Ridgecrest Park

All-ages playground photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Ridgecrest Park is the first of eight projects completed under the 2022 Shoreline Parks Bond.

Have you had a chance to visit yet?

Playground photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Come enjoy the new features, including an off-leash dog park, an all-ages play area, and an accessible path that winds around the park.

Dog park photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Thanks to the Shoreline community's support of the Proposition 1 Bond in February 2022, improvements are coming to eight parks: Brugger's Bog, Briarcrest, Hillwood, Richmond Highlands, James Keough Park, Ridgecrest, Shoreview, and Kruckeberg Botanic Gardens.

Ridgecrest Park is open daily from dawn to dusk! 108 NE 161st St, Shoreline, WA 98155

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Don't get used to the clover

The city really does want the grass to
grow with not so much clover.
Photo by Seattle Poppy

So it turns out that the clover at the Ridgecrest Dog Park is a mistake.

The city did not intend to create a monoculture of clover. The contractor used a seed blend that contained too much clover.

The area will be re-seeded this month with a blend that contains some clover but will have more grass. 

"A grass blend is more suited for foot traffic while the clover is easily squashed and torn up."

The dog park is located at 108 NE 161st Street, Shoreline WA 98155.

--Diane Hettrick

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Paws in the Park! October 19, 2024

Save the date for, Paws in the Park! October 19, 2024, 1:00pm to 5:00pm, at Pfingst Animal Acres Park, 17435 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

It’s going to be a pawty for paws and the family! Invite neighbors and friends to celebrate our LFP Community. 

There will be a beer garden, community partner booths, food trucks, pop-up off leash dog park, and FREE fun for the whole family!

 
This year we have a special performance by LFP legend and ShoreLake Arts 2023 Battle of the Bands reigning champs, King Youngblood.

Paws and Costumes encouraged but not necessary.

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Let the grass grow

Ridgecrest Dog Park
Photo by Seattle Poppy

Happy to see it’s clover and not just grass at the Ridgecrest Dog Park. 

I think rabbits and birds will also be pleased.

--Seattle Poppy

 

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Temporary closure of eastside dog park August 12 -26, 2024

The Fircrest Campus Facilities Department will be resurfacing the road along and leading into the Eastside Off-leash Dog Area on the Fircrest Campus.

If you are looking for a dog park during the closure, please visit Shoreline’s newest off-leash dog area at Ridgecrest Park or the Shoreview Park off-leash dog area:

• Ridgecrest Park Off-leash Dog Area: 108 NE 161st St, Shoreline, WA 98155
• Shoreview Park Off-leash Dog Area: 320 Innis Arden Way, Shoreline, WA 98177

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2022 Park Bond Projects: Construction to begin at Shoreview Off-Leash Dog Park

The Ridgecrest dog park is complete and open for use.
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

After years of planning, construction is set to begin on the next 2022 Park Bond Project! 

On August 12, 2024 construction will begin at Shoreview Off-Leash Dog Park, 700 NW Innis Arden Way, Shoreline WA 98177

During construction, the park will be closed. Improvements to Shoreview Park should be completed by next summer.

Improvements will include new fencing, a paved accessible path, shade structure, shy dog area, and resurfacing of the parking lot with accessible parking and drop-off locations.

During construction, we invite you to use the new off-leash dog area at Ridgecrest Park (108 NE 161st Street). 

The Eastside OLDA (1902 NE 150th Street) is also available for the rest of this year; however, it is closed for a road paving project until August 19. The Eastside OLDA is on state property and will close permanently at the end of this year.

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Temporary closure of the East Side Dog Park from August 5 - 19, 2024

New Ridgecrest dog park
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

The Fircrest Campus Facilities Department will be resurfacing the road along and leading into the East Side Off Leash Area on the Fircrest Campus on 15th NE. The work is scheduled to begin on August 5th and will involve large construction equipment.

Due to this construction, and to keep park patrons safe during construction, the East Side Off Leash Area will be closed from August 5th until August 19th.

If you are looking for a dog park during the closure, please visit Shoreline’s newest off-leash area at Ridgecrest Park or the Shoreview Park Off-Leash Area.

• Ridgecrest Park Off Leash Area: 108 NE 161st St, Shoreline, WA 98155
• Shoreview Park Off-Leash Area: 320 Innis Arden Way, Shoreline, WA 98177

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Off leash dog parks. Who wants them?

Dogs at the Richmond Beach Saltwater Park off-leash area
Photo by Nic Cross

By Pam Cross

Off leash dog parks. Who wants them?

You probably think the dogs want them. You might be wrong. What is wrong with them?

Ask a dog: do you like off leash parks?

• Reply: Off leash parks are boring.

Granted, not every dog park can compete with Marymoor off-leash park (aka Disneyland for Dogs).

• Reply: But most off leash parks are boring.

A lot of them are advertised as having views.

• Reply: What’s a view? And there is nothing to dooo (whining). Nothing to sniff at. No trails to follow. Chase a ball? I don’t chase balls. And if I did, a bunch of other dogs would run after *my* ball and take it away.What happens anyway? You get the ball, bring it back, and they throw it again! In the same place.

So mostly I gang up with other dogs my size and pick on the new guys. Scare the timid dogs. Terrify the smaller dogs. Scrum City!

And my owner/best friend who brought me here? They are leaning against the fence looking at their phone. They didn’t even see me bring down that spotted dog that I didn’t like.

Ask a dog owner

Designing an off leash park doesn’t require adding special agility equipment. Most owners and dogs don’t know how to use it correctly and it largely just sits there unused. 

What even the smallest off leash park needs is a trail - even if it’s just gravel along the fence, where owners can walk with their dog while the dog runs a short distance away to sniff a bush or a large rock or a tree stump, and then comes back to tell its owner about it. 

Small bushes planted in groups in the park will break the line of sight between dogs. They provide a visual barrier to prevent confrontation as well as something of interest for the dogs to explore. Maybe there’s a discarded treat hidden in there. Or a squirrel!

If you look where people take their dogs to play, dogs who chase balls need to go to a plain park with few trees and bushes so they have room to run. The smaller and timid dogs tend to meander and are more interested in looking at different objects. They look at the other dogs to see if they recognize anybody.

Shoreline is buying property throughout the city for the future development of parks. This undeveloped land could easily be converted to temporary off-leash parks with the addition of fencing and a trash can for the doggy bags. 

The dogs will develop the trails as they walk around, and their owners will assist in keeping the foliage down while they walk with their dogs. The city can post a sign that states “This land is for the future development of a park.” 

And in 10 years when funding is available to develop the park, the off-leash use will be discontinued.

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Pop-Up, Paws in the Park! Costumes encouraged - community invited

Pop-Up, Paws in the Park!

Saturday, October 28, 2023, a pop-up dog park will be at Pfingst Animal Acres Park, 17435 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155, for the furry friends to play off leash. 

This free-family-friendly event is to provide our community a start to their Halloween festivities! 

Costumes for the pets and humans are encouraged but not necessary. Don’t have a pet, still come out and say hi! Activities for the entire family, food trucks, music, community booths, and giveaways will be there for all to enjoy!

This is a good time to make sure your pet is up-to-date on current vaccinations and pet license! Call your local veterinarian to check on their vaccinations and stop by City Hall to purchase or renew a pet license.

Reminder, all welcome to join, having a pet or costume is not a requirement.

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Irresponsible pet play time can lead to long-term environmental impacts

Many of us enjoy playing fetch with our four-legged best friend at the park. However, irresponsible pet play time can lead to long-term environmental impacts. 

Just as it’s important to pick up pet waste to prevent poop from entering our lakes and streams, it’s important to properly retrieve and dispose of pet toys — especially plastic and rubber pet toys. 

A concerned park visitor recently posted a video showing a significant amount of pollution in the Sammamish River, most of it being abandoned tennis balls and dog toys found downstream of the Marymoor off-leash dog park in Redmond.

The issue isn’t confined to the Sammamish River alone; it has been documented in several other states and water bodies as well. 

Over time, the felt on tennis balls, comprised mostly of acrylic and nylon fibers, breaks down and releases microplastic fibers into the environment (Cross and Lindsey, 2007; Praminik et al., 2020). 

The rubber ball and other plastic and rubber toys also break down into macro and microplastics over time, which can have a lasting legacy in sediments and negatively impact wildlife and aquatic organisms (Praminik et al., 2020). 

The best practice for playing fetch on the water is to use environmentally safe toys, such as sticks or toys made with natural, biodegradable materials.

--Story and photo from King County Streams Monitor, Spring 2021

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Shoreline City Council places Shoreline Proposition 1 on April ballot: Bond measure to make park improvements and acquire and improve park land

James Keough park would receive significant improvements under the bond issue

On January 25, Shoreline City Council approved placing Shoreline Proposition 1 on the April 27 special election ballot. Approval of Proposition 1 will allow the City to make improvements to eight parks and acquire and improve new park land. The City would issue up to $38,500,000 in general obligation bonds to be paid back through an increase in property taxes.

Five parks that would receive significant improvements are: 

• Brugger’s Bog 
• Hillwood 
• James Keough 
• Richmond Highlands 
• Briarcrest Community (east Hamlin)

Concept design for James Keough Park

Park improvements would include such things as playgrounds, splash-pads, multi-sports courts, walking trails, picnic shelters, off-leash dog areas, and a fully accessible play area for people of all physical abilities.

Additional investments in park amenities include constructing a new off-leash dog area and play area at Ridgecrest Park; upgrading the off-leash dog area and converting the dirt soccer field to grass at Shoreview Park; making the education center and children’s garden accessible to people of all abilities at Kruckeberg Botanic Garden; and installing public art throughout the city.

Park land acquisitions and improvements will expand Paramount Open Space, Brugger’s Bog, and Rotary Parks, and will include additional park land acquisitions in the light rail station areas and other parts of the city.

The owner of a median valued home ($517,000 in 2020) could expect to pay approximately $112 a year, or $9 a month, an increase of $36 a year, or $3 a month, over what they are currently paying with the expiring 2006 park bond.

For more information on Shoreline Proposition 1, visit shorelinewa.gov/prop1

The City will be providing factual community presentations on Proposition 1 via Zoom. To see the schedule of presentations and how you can participate, go to shorelinewa.gov/prop1

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Dog park in the sun

Photo by Keith McGlashan

Sun comes out and everyone heads to the dog park! This is the Shoreview Dog Park by Shoreview Park in west Shoreline.

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Not exactly the Christmas spirit - but stay away from RB Saltwater Park beach

Photo from Dept of Ecology

Public Health Seattle and King County has issued a no-contact advisory at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park in Shoreline.

This advisory is due to sewer overflows that occurred as a result of a heavy rainstorm.

See previous story 

The public is advised to avoid contact with the water in the affected area until further notice.

Contact with fecal-contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. 

Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

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