Off Leash Area Expansion Study
Updated March 29, 2024
The OLA Expansion Study is now complete, and the recommendations were approved at the March 28th meeting of the BPRC. The purpose of this study was to identify suitable sites for future OLAs in Seattle and create a blueprint for the expansion of the system in the coming years.
The Metropolitan Park District provided funding for the construction of 2 new OLAs and the design of a 3rd. As mandated by the MPD, one of these OLAs will be constructed in West Seattle and the other OLA can be constructed in any other neighborhood of the city. The third site (funded for design only) may be anywhere in the city, though construction funds will need to be secured first. The sites that are not immediately prioritized may function as a blueprint for the department in future years as more funding becomes available.
For existing OLAs in Seattle, see Dog Off-Leash Areas & Map.
A map of Seattle showing Existing, Planned and Potential Off-Leash Areas by using green and gray dots. Sites already in the planning phase are Georgetown, South Park Community Center and Smith Cove Park.
Sites selected by the OLA Expansion Study: West Seattle Stadium, Othello Playground, and (for design only) Ravenna Park.
The following sites were approved by members of the BPRC and SPR leadership to be developed into an OLA and will be prioritized for the available MPD funding
West Seattle Stadium (planning and construction timeline will be announced soon)
Alt text: Aerial view of West Seattle Stadium, showing the proposed 16,000 square foot OLA in the southwest portion of the park, just south of West Seattle Stadium Road and just west of the Golf Course.
Othello Park (planning and construction timeline will be announced soon)
Alt text: Aerial view of the proposed OLA at Othello Park, approximately 12,000 square feet in the southwest corner of the park.
The following site was found to be suitable and is approved for design.
Ravenna Park. Planning timeline to be announced soon.
Future funding will need to be secured for the construction of an OLA at Ravenna Park.
Alt text: Aerial view of the proposed OLA at Ravenna Park, which is funded for design only. The OLA would be approx. 20,000 square feet, just east of the corner of Ravenna Ave NE & NE 54th St. The location is a short distance north of the Wading Pool and Tennis Courts.
The following sites were found to be suitable sites for OLAs:
- Brighton Playfield
Alt text: Location of the OLA which might be built at Brighton Playfield, if future OLA funding is allocated. OLA would be 22,000 square feet at the north end of the park, replacing the existing sand volleyball courts. - East Queen Anne Playfield
Alt text: Proposed OLA at East Queen Anne Playfield. The OLA would cover the eastern half of the park, approximately 28,400 square feet.
Future funding will need to be secured for the design and construction of any of these sites. These sites also require additional internal SPR planning and conversations with the community in response to existing uses at these parks.
These sites included in the study were determined not to be suitable for a future OLA:
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Expansion Study History and Overview
The connection between humans and our furry friends runs deep in our collective history. From our likely role in their slow evolution from grey wolves into dogs around 15,000 years ago, to the fact that many households today are home to one or more dogs, the increased part dogs play in our society and day-to-day life is undeniable. With this comes the need for increased access to amenities for dogs that allow their owners to exercise and socialize them, make connections with others, and generally raise healthy and happy pets.
SPR is among other leading cities in providing access to legal off-leash areas, constructing the city’s first Off-Leash Area (OLA) in 1997 and growing the system’s footprint to roughly 26 acres across the city today. However, with the exponential growth in the number of dogs we have witnessed among Seattle residents in the last decade, SPR recognizes the need for, and has been working toward, an expanded OLA system. While we have had some success gradually increasing the number of OLAs over the years in partnership with the community, the current situation called for a more concrete and robust response. The OLA Expansion Study, which looked at over 30 sites across SPR's system to determine suitability for OLA development, is one strategy in that response.
Presentation to the BPRC on OLA Expansion Study recommendations:
Presentation to BPRC on the OLA Expansion Study Recommendation, Feb 22 2024
OLA Expansion Study Kickoff:
Off-Leash Area (OLA) Expansion Presentation: June 12, 2023 from Seattle Parks and Recreation on Vimeo.