Newly Opened Waterway Park on Portage Bay Is A Quiet Spot to Have a Picnic and  Boat-watch

This waterway park on Portage Bay just opened in the Fall of 2020 and if you’re making the rounds of Seattle parks, you should add this little guy to the list. It’s not a big park. There is no playground, there are no swings. But, there is a large rock beach that has rocks just waiting to be chucked into Portage Bay. Different types of boats go floating by. The houseboats that line the opposite shore are interesting to look at. The terraced open lawn space is fun for the kids to run through and change levels on.

Bring lunch or a snack! There is a small, fenced pier with bright yellow chairs facing the water. More yellow chairs are clustered into small groups up near the sidewalk. There are also fake rocks arranged as seating with them. If you find yourself hungry when you’re there, an adjacent Mexican restaurant, Agua Verde Café, has delicious tacos.

Parking is metered street parking.

Tips:

• The park provides water access for hand-carried boats. If you can hand carry it to the water, you can launch it here (so bring your kayak!)
• Some trivia: the park was named after Fredrick "Fritz" Hedges a long-term Seattle Parks and Recreation professional. An old mill that formerly occupied the site was demolished and the timbers were reused throughout the park.
• Watch out for goose poop!
• As always during COVID times, wear your mask and check the park's website for restrictions.