Green Lake Beaches
Green Lake’s two beaches open this Saturday (June 25, 2011).
East Green Lake Beach (7201 E Green Lake Dr N) stays open until Sunday, August 28 and West Green Lake Beach (7312 W Green Lake Dr N) stays open until Monday, Sept. 5.
Both beaches are staffed by lifeguards daily, weather permitting, noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
“The lifeguarded swimming beaches offer maintained bottom conditions, are free of aquatic weeds, and do not have boat traffic, all of which are possible concerns in other parts of the parks,” explains a Seattle Parks webpage about open water swimming.
West Green Lake Beach
Swimming in Green Lake is regulated by the Seattle Municipal Code. According to SMC 16.28.010, swimmers must stay within designated swimming areas or within 50 feet from the shore, unless the swimmer is accompanied by a boat within 25 feet of the swimmer that has a personal floatation device for the swimmer on board. The Seattle Police Department will ticket swimmers who do not follow SMC 16.28.010.
Green Lake Wading Pool
The Green Lake wading pool is also scheduled to open on Saturday, June 25, weather pending. It is open 7 days a week through Monday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m – 8 p.m.
This morning, Dave Rosencrans snapped a photo of Parks Department staff readying the wading pool for opening:
Photo credit: Dave Rosencrans
The wading pool is located on the north end of Green Lake Park, near the intersection of Wallingford Ave N & E Green Lake Dr N.
Note that the wading pool only opens when the sun is shining and the weather is forecast to be 70 degrees or above. To check if the wading pool is open, call the ”wading pool hotline” at (206) 684-7796.
Several rules govern the use of the Green Lake Wading Pool:
Children under 10 years old must be supervised by a responsible adult.
No “Bare Buns” – bathing suit attire required, babies must wear tight plastic pants or diapers designed for swimming.
No food or drink; no glass containers.
No spots – people with communicable diseases are not allowed in the pool.
No fidos (dogs, cats, etc.)
No bikes
No running
No water fights
No drugs or alcohol
Related:
- The 7th annual Green Lake Open Water Swim is this Sunday (June 26, 2011).
- Seattle Parks and Recreation offers free beginning swim lessons for youth at Green Lake’s two beaches.
- Gayle Garman of the Friends of Green Lake recommends steering clear of water that has a green film on it, as it may contain toxic algae.
