Green Lake

Green Lake is truly a Seattle treasure. Located in the northern part of the city, this freshwater urban gem provides an oasis of unique amenities to the surrounding Green Lake neighborhood.

For the recreation enthusiast, Green Lake has a myriad of active leisure options. There are two trails around the lake’s three-mile perimeter that are the joy of local running, walking and even roller skating enthusiasts. For the urban dog-lover, there is no better place for a leisurely afternoon stroll with a canine companion. From sweater-sporting Pomeranians, to barrel-chested Bulldogs, the number and variety of pooches that can be found strolling Green Lake’s shores rivals a Westminster Show. Expansive sports fields border the lake as well, and are popular meeting spots for city soccer, frisbee, and baseball teams. Rowers also flock to Green Lake for early morning practices with the Green Lake Crew public rowing club, and Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club.

On the southeast corner of the lake is the 9-hole Green Lake Golf Course—perfect for families, or people wanting to brush up on their short games. And during the winter months, when even the heartiest of polar bears think twice about outdoor dips, Evans Pool on the north shore of the lake offers regular lap swim hours and aquatic classes throughout the week.

After active afternoons, neighborhood locals flock to the many popular Green Lake eateries to re-charge. The famous monster omelets at Beth’s 24-hour Café come in two sizes: six, or twelve eggs. For Japanese cuisine, the nearby Kisaku Sushi is a solid bet. The restaurant’s name means “Frank” and “Easy Going” and aptly reflects the attitude of the neighborhood clientele. The Little Red Hen is another beloved Green Lake institution featuring an eclectic menu, karaoke, and complimentary line dancing lessons courtesy of host, Maryann.

Green Lake has many attractive features for families as well.  There are a number of unique nearby educational options for children of all ages. At Green Lake Elementary School classrooms are clustered with grades 1-2 and 3-4 so that students have the consistency of the same teacher for two years.  The school also has one of the top special education programs in the area for students 3-12 years old.

For older children, the highly ranked Billings Middle School Integrated Human Science (IHS) curriculum combines science, world affairs, and environmental studies programming, and the dramatic backdrop of the Pacific Northwest provides opportunities for field studies at Mount Rainier and Central Washington. Also in the neighborhood is Bishop Blanchet High School. Hands-on learning is emphasized at this school, and students each complete year-long research projects on the Green Lake environmental quality.

The educational focus on environmentalism fits well with the interests of the Green Lake community as a whole. Sustainable Green Lake, for example, is an on-line forum for neighborhood residents to share tips on energy use and home retrofitting, food and gardening ideas, and learn about upcoming social and educational gatherings in the area.

Residents of all ages new to the Green Lake area will be also be delighted with the variety of leisure activities available in the neighborhood. The world renowned Woodland Park Zoo hugs the southwest corner of Green Lake and boasts a veritable Noah’s Arc of exotic animal specimens. The Green Lake library —a nearly 100-year-old Carnegie library built in 1910, is an architectural attraction in addition to offering a wealth of entertainment and community programming options. And the lake front Seattle Public Theater hosts live theater performances throughout the year.

For a neighborhood that boasts the best Seattle has to offer—outdoor recreation, vibrant arts & culture, and a commitment to green living—consider making Green Lake your next home!