When I think of Colman Park, I think of the underpasses. I'm a Californian, we don't really do fun underpasses like Seattle does, especially not ones like these which look to be mostly from the 1900s. The honey and I decided on one of our walks to start at the Colman P-Patch Community Gardens (which is easily one of the most gorgeous sounding parks we've been to) and walk down under the these smaller tunnels to Colman Beach. The tunnels at first glance look barely big enough for someone to pass under, and someone larger than 6 feet might struggle, but it's so much fun to walk through the woods from the P-Patch and see that these adorable tunnels lead to a beach. Colman Park is very woodsy, but there are so many paths and levels to it that you could probably explore for an hour and not see everything. All in all beyond Streissguth Gardens, the Colman P-Patch and adjoining Colman Park and Colman Beach would be the absolute must see for free Seattle green spaces in my opinion, and if you're in the area, you should definitely drop by. read more

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Colman Park is such a peaceful little escape. The trees, the lake, and the views of Mt. Rainier make it feel like a hidden spot right in the city. I came here to clear my head and ended up staying way longer than planned. It's quiet, super green, and just a perfect place to slow down and breathe. read more

When I look at the map, "Colman xyz" is actually in 3 parts. There is a Colman Playground that is the furthest away by 23rd Avenue S, and shares the same grounds as Seattle Children's PlayGarden. Then there is Colman Park, which has community gardens, a recreation and picnic area which is roughly from 31st Ave S to 34th Ave S. This portion is also a bit away, but at a good jogging distance. The portion I went to is Colman Beach. There are several small parking lots, but otherwise street parking on Lakeside Ave S or 36th Ave S is possible. Colman Beach area is visually narrow because Lakeside Ave S forces a sharp west edge to the space. Many sunbathers, picnickers hang out on the relatively narrow strip of grassy field. The north end has an overlook area with a marker that says it's a historical site for the Lake WA Pumping Station. From here, it's a beautiful panoramic view of Lake WA with I-90 floating on my far left and Mt Baker at a distance, and Mt Rainier on the far right. From Colman Beach, it's a comfortable though narrow 1-person width trail walk southward hugging the edge of Lake WA, to Mount Baker Beach, Lake WA Boulevard Park, before turning back near Genesee Park or the Mt Baker Rowing & Sailing Center. It is a pleasant and shady walk, with sounds of Lake WA lapping against the shore. Most people opt to hang out along any of the grassy areas. There's a pier at the Lake WA park. Folks were sunbathing and even fishing at any of these spots. read more

Colman Park - View of Mount Rainier from Colman Beach - Parks Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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It is a very beautiful place where you can sit down and relax watching the beauty of the water or the sky reflected on it. Water is warm on summer and dogs can swim in it after a hike up through the bridges and the trails after the huuuge and amazing patch. Parking wasn't a problem in the lot. My concern was regarding people in their cars just watching. Maybe lunch time. But there was an abandoned car with a crashed window. I didn't want to leave my car there but then some paddlers park there too and we were going to look after each other. read more

Colman Park - Parks Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Winding and woodsy. Lots of wandering trails to jog or walk. A big community garden to see, lots of stairs to climb (or not!) and access to the water on the east end read more

I've never had a problem here during the day time. I love coming here because I can walk and jog the trails all the way to Seward Park if I want. Fishing is also close by with several docks and places on the bank. There is swimming in the summertime and they have a life guard on site so that's always a plus. The parking lot does get filled up fast during the summer months. I know when I was a kid, I'd come here with friends late night so I probably wouldn't stick around after dusk. read more

Colman Park - Parks Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is one of my favorite parks. It's never busy (except for when the entire preschool comes here but that's not too often) so it's a good place to come if you seek peace and quiet. The view is amazing too. There are plenty of parking and a cool 5 minute path that goes from the beach to the park if you want to take a walk. read more

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Our first experience with Colman Park was with a raccoon. We had just pulled over to park when we saw a huge raccoon bounding through the bushes. If I keep up hitting nearby Sweet & Savory, I think that I might end up like that raccoon, waddling around the greenery. Seriously though, I was surprised to see that in spitting distance of I-90, with the sprawl of Bellevue in the distance. I expected dogs and geese, given the proximity to the Mount Baker beach, which we saw plenty of both. This place is a real gem and was designed by the Brookline, MA Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm. Landlocked Boston has their Emerald Necklace. Luckily, we've got miles and miles of Olmsted interconnected parks along Lake Washington. read more

This is a cool park. Lovely location, beautiful views (excepting I90, of course), and a really nice spot to stop and do some stretching or yoga or whatever during a run. The best part about it is that if you head west from the parking lot, under the teeny tiny old bridges/tunnels, you get to trail run through a wooded area that claims to have about a half mile of trails. It connects to the Dose Terrace stairs (138 steps of gloriousness) and meanders all the way up to 31st past a really awesome community garden. The one drawback (and I'm not deducting because really, what can you do?) is that there can be transients in the tunnels that lead up towards the garden/31st. The parking lot can also attract a lot of kids that park their cars to do whatever it is that kids these days do. On the plus side, I've never felt threatened as I jog through. read more

I hate to say it, but this place was full of shady people sitting in their cars waiting for new cars to come into the area and do some kind of "exchange" and then leaving. This literally happened for what seemed like over an hour. I came here to have a picnic with my 4 year old and that is what we did. The lake's shore was completely empty since everyone in the area was sitting in their car with loud music playing. Weird experience, I'm torn on whether to return to the park. On one hand, I want those people to know that families want to visit this park that has an amazing view and water access; and then there's the I don't want my kid around what seemed to be an not so safe area. Hmmmmmm. read more

This park has amazing views every time you slightly turn your head you see something eye catching. The sound of the water hitting the rocks on the shoreline. There's a trail and plenty of space to lay out or exercise or do whatever:) so nice read more

Gorgeous views of Lake Washington and just beautiful spot to enjoy a walk or just sit and relax! read more

Colman Park - Parks Near Me - Seattle, Washington

So I was pretty bummed that this year the weather was amazing but I had no plans to get on a boat for Sea Fair. Despite being stuck on land, I was determined to enjoy the festivities. A group of us decided to drive along the lake and see what we found, and thats when we discovered Colman Park. What a great place to watch Sea Fair! Colman Park may be small, but we easily found a spot to sit and watch the Blue Angels and the boat races. The park is located basically at the midpoint of the party, so you see the races, AND the entirety of the air show. There are ice cream trucks selling water and cold treats, and cute little kids from the neighborhood selling baked goods and lemonade. Parking is kind of a mess but totally do-able if you decide to park up the hill and walk down to the park. I would like to come back here on a less busy weekend to enjoy the park, maybe bring my dogs because its also dog friendly! I'll never be bummed again on Sea Fair! read more

I heart Coleman park, what a great place to go and just relax. It's rarely busy, it's quite large and plenty of spots to explore. What a great little gem, right in the city! Coleman park is much quieter than its sister parks (Magnuson, Discovery), so come with a book or just plan a quiet hike with your spouse. It's a perfect way to spend the Sunday!! read more

The Westernmost part of Colman Park is the closest thing I've found to an urban forest in Seattle. Sure, Discovery Park and Seward Park are bigger, but neither have the element I love most about a hike through the forest: the elevation gain needed to let my endorphins out to play. I have a running injury, so there's no better outdoor cardio for me than climbing the stairs at this in-city retreat. Entering from the Western side off of 31st St S, the P Patch welcomes you and is one of those things that just makes you feel that somehow the world will be all right just as long as Seattlites are a part of it. Then, you pass through some Olmstead bridges, hike a bit further, and are released unto Lake Washington, where my dog loves to take a dip, terrorize the ducks, and make friends with a swimmer or too. The place is teeming with life, yes even teenagers in cars sometimes kind of life, and I-90 life, but personally I love every bit of this juxtaposition of city and nature. Colman Park is a place to go and be graced with some quiet gratitude and humble reverence for all that is in the one and only Emerald City...You have to appreciate both the emerald (ie nature) AND the city (ie the hustle) to truly love it here, and Colman park makes it oh-so-easy to do. read more

Love this park, though can be crowded on the beach part once the weather warms up. Otherwise, it's a much less busy version of nearby Seward Park, equally beautiful. If I"m reaching to complain about something, I once had my car broken into there with an (empty) computer bag sitting on the passenger floor... there's so little traffic (i.e. witnesses) that this happened in broad daylight. Anyway- if you're not an idiot like yours truly, I wouldn't worry about it.Just keep your valuables in your trunk! read more