green-grass Archives

It’s an unfortunate fact for most of us urbanites–hear the name SeaTac and you’re envisioning impossible check-in lines, incessant jet noise and whiny kids after a long flight. But what if we told you SeaTac also equals hours of water fun, picnicking on rolling green hills and breathing in cool lake breezes? Literally a five-minute car ride from the airport, the city named after its biggest commodity also hosts a park complete with a scenic, swimmable lake, a shaded playground, green space ready for spreading a blanket, and the biggest, splashiest, most totally awesome spray park south of the Ship Canal. Grandma’s flight delayed? Forget the cellphone lot–check out Angle Lake Park for a kid-tastic new angle on SeaTac!

Park it at the Gate

From the road (International Boulevard to be exact), you can hardly tell there’s a park, much less a tree lined 102-acre lake, surrounded as it is by office parks and hotel chains. Angle Lake Park sits at the west end of the lake and has 10 acres of green grass and lots of room to kick a soccer ball, spread a picnic blanket, or relax (at least the parent version of it) in the shade of the many towering evergreen trees that dot the landscape. As you walk east towards the lake, don’t miss the view of Mount Rainier, popping unexpectedly out of the trees.

Insider Parking Tip: The parking lot fills quickly on nice days, but don’t despair! There is an overflow lot three driveways south of the park, a very short walk away. Just turn left out of the lot and look for the signs immediately to your left.

Angle Lake Park
19408 International Boulevard (at South 195th Street)
SeaTac, Wa 98148
206-973-4680
Online: ci.seatac.wa.us/index.aspx?page=144

Park hours: 8:00 am – dusk
Spray park hours: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm daily (closing date dependent on weather)
Lifeguard hours: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm daily through Labor Day

Do you plan to visit Angle Lake Park this summer? Already visited? Let us know about your experience in a comment below!

-Erin Cranston, words and photos

Explore Seattle kids, things to do with kids in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond
This is a new weekly feature from the RT staff, just in time to combat the winter doldrums. Let’s face it, sometimes you’re itching to get the kiddos out of the house but you’re just not up for a crowded event. We’ll be exploring a new neighborhood, park, hiking trail or other Get Out adventure each week in our new Explore column. We’ll be covering destinations throughout the Puget Sound area and you can expect to find insider tips on great restaurants, activities and other kid-friendly suggestions for each area. The best part? These tips don’t expire after the weekend, so you can visit this page anytime your little monkeys are climbing the walls and you need ideas for a field trip.

Downtown Ballard

If you’re looking for a place to hang out and explore with the fam for the day, it’s hard to beat Ballard. There’s so much to see and do, we’ll focus on just a few blocks surrounding Market St. and Ballard Ave. Visit the farmers’ market every Sunday, all year, rain or shine. Head to Ballard Commons Park for a skate bowl, plenty of green grass for lounging, and a fun-to-run-through water feature. Stop by the library for a great kiddo section and frequent events sponsored by the hood’s awesome family bookstore, Secret Garden Bookshop. Shop for quality toys and kiddo clothes at Clover, and kitsch galore at Archie McPhee’s. Get inspired to bake at Cookies. Take in a flick at Majestic Bay. And the food! There’s soups and sandwiches at Great Harvest Bread Co, yummies at Cupcake Royale, healthy frozen yogurt at mooberry, and amazing date night food at La Carta de Oaxaca.

More to Explore:

Downtown Woodinville

Downtown Bellevue During Magic Season

34th Street in Madrona

Downtown Magnolia

Downtown Ballard

Wallingford’s 45th St.

Bainbridge Island/Downtown Winslow

ML Interest Tag: green-grass

See SeaTac from Another Angle: Jet Over to Angle Lake Park

Park it at the Gate

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Downtown Ballard

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