Is the Jose Rizal Park off-leash area fenced?

Yes. Seattle Parks describes a fenced off-leash area of about 4 acres at the north end of Dr. Jose Rizal Park.

How do you get into the Jose Rizal Park dog park?

The fenced area is reached by a long set of stairs at the north end of the park. The ADA-accessible route comes in from the bicycle trail.

Where is Rizal Park in Seattle?

Dr. Jose Rizal Park is at 1007 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144, on the west side of North Beacon Hill just south of downtown.

Who is Dr. Jose Rizal Park named after?

It honors Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. The park took his name in the 1970s after a petition from the Filipino Alumni Association.

What are the park hours?

Seattle Parks lists Dr. Jose Rizal Park as open from 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Dr. Jose Rizal Park Off-Leash Area: Beacon Hill Views

The Dr. Jose Rizal Park off-leash area is a fenced dog park of about 4 acres on the north end of Beacon Hill, just south of downtown at 1007 12th Ave S, where a compacted gravel trail rolls through the middle and the views run west over Puget Sound and north to the downtown skyline. Reach it by the long set of stairs at the north end of the park, or come in from the bicycle trail, which is the ADA-accessible way in.

It is one of the larger of Seattle's official off-leash areas, with plenty of room for dogs who like to explore rather than chase a ball in circles. Up the hill, the rest of the park adds picnic tables, restrooms, a small play area and a wide view over south downtown and Elliott Bay. Compare it with other spots in our guide to every Seattle dog park.

Rizal Park Seattle off-leash area at a glance

Size: about 4 acres, per Seattle Parks.
Fencing: fenced, with access by a long stairway at the north end of the park.
Accessibility: ADA accessible from the bicycle trail, a path the Department of Transportation built to connect to the Mountains to Sound Greenway.
Surface: a compacted gravel trail runs through the middle and follows the rolling contours of the hillside.
Views: Puget Sound to the west and the downtown skyline to the north.
Hours: listed as 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The city's description does not mention a separate small and shy dog area or a water source inside the fence, so bring a collapsible bowl and water for your dog.

Read the full guide

The park up the hill

After a run, leash up and climb to the upper park on the west side of Beacon Hill. The Seattle Parks page points to a view over south downtown and Elliott Bay, picnic tables, restrooms and a small children's play area to the south, where dogs are not allowed. Look for a bronze bust of Dr. Jose Rizal by the Filipino sculptor Anastacio Caedo and East is West, a triptych mosaic mural designed by Filipino artist Val Laigo and commissioned by the Filipino American community. The park also has reservable picnic areas, and Seattle Parks lists a renovation project for it, so check the park page for any work zones before you go.

A short history

According to Wikipedia's history of the park, the city condemned this land in 1917 while regrading Dearborn and Jackson streets, then left it undeveloped for decades. The Parks Department took it over in 1971 and built a small viewpoint and parking area; in 1973 the Filipino Alumni Association petitioned to honor Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, and the park was renamed the next year. The city dedicated the developed park on June 7, 1981, during Seattle's Philippine Week.

Getting there

Set your map to 1007 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144, then head to the north end of the park for the stairs, or use the bicycle trail for step-free access. Plan a bus trip with the King County Metro Trip Planner. Make a day of it in North Beacon Hill, and find a meal nearby in our Beacon Hill restaurant guide.

Off-leash rules to know

Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Animal Control enforce the same rules at every off-leash area, so run through this list before you open the gate:

Your dog must be licensed and vaccinated.
Carry a leash for each dog while you are inside, and clip it back on as soon as you step outside the off-leash boundary.
Stay with your dog and keep it under control; unattended dogs are not allowed.
Pick up after your dog, use the containers on site and carry your scoop bags where they can be seen.
Leave puppies younger than four months and females in heat at home, and take off pinch or choke collars before you go in.
Leave bicycles outside, and bring food in at your own risk.

Read the full list on the city's park rules page, and keep in mind that dogs are not allowed on organized athletic fields, beaches or children's play areas anywhere in Seattle parks, even on a leash.