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Dunlap School, Rainier Beach, Seattle

Dunlap

Spend a relaxed afternoon in Dunlap, a quiet residential corner of southern Seattle just north of Rainier Beach, where you can visit Lake Washington shoreline parks, a busy playfield and a neighborhood library.

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Map of Dunlap in Seattle showing 4 places we cover
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Frequently asked questions

Dunlap is a neighborhood in southern Seattle, located just north of Rainier Beach. Its parks include spots along the Lake Washington shoreline.

It is named after Joseph Dunlap, the first homesteader in the area.

Yes. Pritchard Island Beach is a city park on Lake Washington in Dunlap, and Beer Sheva Park sits nearby on the same shoreline.

The Rainier Beach Branch of the Seattle Public Library is on Rainier Avenue South in Dunlap. Check the library for current hours, since they can change.

About Dunlap

Lake Washington shoreline parks, a neighborhood playfield and a branch library all sit within a short distance of one another along the Rainier Avenue South corridor. That easy, compact mix is the draw of Dunlap, Seattle, a residential neighborhood in the south end of the city, just north of Rainier Beach. Plan a relaxed outing here rather than a big sightseeing day, and let the lake and the local parks set your pace.

Meet Dunlap

The neighborhood carries the name of Joseph Dunlap, the first homesteader to settle the area. Today families make their homes here, and children walk to Dunlap Elementary School, part of Seattle Public Schools. Come expecting a local neighborhood with good public spaces, not a shopping or nightlife district.

Spend Time on the Lake Washington Shore

Pritchard Island Beach

Start at Pritchard Island Beach, the neighborhood's best-known waterfront spot and a city park on 55th Avenue South. Several other southeast Seattle parks and a library branch sit less than a mile away, so it is easy to pair your lakeside stop with another nearby visit.

Read the full Dunlap guide

Beer Sheva Park

Stay on the same shoreline for nearby Beer Sheva Park, which carries more than a century of history. The park was first dedicated in 1905, and in 1977 the city renamed it to honor Beer Sheva, Israel, one of Seattle's sister cities, giving it an unusual international story.

Bringing a boat? The Atlantic City Boat Ramp is in the area, so check with Seattle Parks and Recreation for current launch conditions before you head out on the water.

Playfields, Gardens and Books on Rainier Avenue

Right in Dunlap on Rainier Avenue South, Rainier Beach Playfield is a Seattle Parks and Recreation site. From here, a community garden, a library and several smaller parks are just a short walk or ride away.

Continue a little farther south on the same avenue to the Rainier Beach Branch of the Seattle Public Library, which serves the neighborhood. It also makes a handy starting point for exploring, since Kubota Garden and several parks lie less than a mile from its doors.

Plan Your Visit

  • Combine stops: The shoreline parks, playfield and library are clustered closely, so a single afternoon covers a lot.
  • Check details first: Library hours and park facilities can change, so confirm with Seattle Public Library and Seattle Parks and Recreation before you go.
  • Go a bit farther: Kubota Garden is under a mile from the library and makes a natural add-on to your day.
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