Flo Ware Park, Leschi

Check this place out! Located just out of the Central District, climbing the hill into Leschi, the whole playground is covered in the rubbery stuff (is it recycled tires as rumored?) that's at Cal Anderson and other parks. But these swings are better than at Cal Anderson, simply because they are not too close to the ground.

Location: 28th Ave S & S Jackson St.
Number of swings: 2 regular, 2 baby buckets
Ground material: Rubber
Chain length: Medium.


There is an amazing view from here, on a slope in the southern part of town. If you swing facing east, you can scope out the tops of downtown skyscrapers behind a foreground of Seattle's hilly neighborhoods. If you swing facing west, a big red house fills up your entire field of vision.

How to get there: Bus route #14 stops along Jackson St. and route #8 stops along nearby Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Pratt Park, First Hill/Yesler

Originally posted on 04 Sept. 2009, I have updated this post with a photo of the awesome water sprinklers, although it's a post-water-shut-off winter photo.

Location: 18th Ave S & E Yesler Way on the Yesler Terrace area outside the Central and International Districts.
Number of swings: 2 regular, 1 baby bucket, 1 baby seat.
Ground material: Wood chips
Chain length: Medium-short.


This place made me a little excited, but not because of the swings. The swings were just ok. Short chains, but good momentum. I actually cut my swinging short here because I got distracted by the water.


There's a little children's water park adjacent to the playground: this horse shoots water, you can swivel to aim it, and you can play with other sprinkler water guns or stand under a shower...!!! This place is probably very fun in the summer during one of those few hot hot days here in Seattle.

How to get there: Bus route #27 stops along Yesler Way in both directions. Route #14 stops nearby along S Jackson St.

Firehouse Mini Park, Cherry Hill

This park is so cute. It was once a firehouse, and now it's a community center/small park... that would explain the obvious name.

Location: 18th Ave & E Cherry St on the ridge of Cherry Hill
Number of swings: 1 regular, 1 baby
Ground material: Wood chips
Chain length: Short.


This swing is very similar to the swing at Cascade Playground, although it is much higher off the ground, and the baby option is bucket-style. It's short, but you get going pretty fast, so that can be enjoyable for a bit. The park definitely outshines the swing. Gather up some children so you have a good excuse to visit! This has been my favo(u)rite area of Seattle to walk around this fall... a lovely ridge providing delicious views in all directions.


How to get there: Bus routes #3, 4, 84 stop along Jefferson St.