Montlake Playfield

Click to skip down to:

HOURS

4 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE PARK

Located adjacent to Montlake Community Center, Montlake playfield includes a children’s play area, playfields, and tennis courts.

HISTORY

Early day (1900’s) settlers named the area between Union Bay and Lake Union “Union City” in honor of the planned “union” of Lake Washington and Union with Puget Sound by constructing the ship canal. But “Union City” was replaced with “Montlake” to include the view of the mountains.

In 1929 property owners petitioned the Park Board for the acquisition of a playfield in the district. The Board and City Council approved in selection of this site and condemnation initiated in 1931. In 1932 a new Park Board was appointed, and they joined with certain property owners to protest at a Council hearing the acquisition of this property. However, Council proceeded and authorized payment. The playfield assumed the district name.

In 1962 dirt from the Freeway construction was placed along the swampy shoreline, causing other areas to rise.

(Edited from the files of Don Sherwood, 1916-1981, Park Historian.)