Leschi Moorage Next Door
Just south of the lakeside lawn lies the southern part of Leschi Moorage. A parking lot on the E. Yesler Way right-of-way, together with private docks and an office and restaurant complex, divides the moorage into northern and southern sections. Along this stretch of shoreline, boats and docks fill much of your view.
The Story Behind the Name
The park, like the neighborhood around it, honors Chief Leschi of the Nisqually tribe. Long before there was a park here, the Duwamish called this place "Changes-Its-Face" (s7ayá7oos in Lushootseed). The name refers to a huge and powerful horned snake, a supernatural being said to live in the area, which gives a stroll across the hillside a deeper layer of meaning.
Cable Cars, Steamboats and Seattle's First Zoo
Picture this spot as a busy transportation hub on the lake. A cable car line from Pioneer Square ended here, running from September 27, 1888, until August 10, 1940, so for more than half a century riders could travel from downtown straight to the lakeshore.
Out on the water, things were just as busy. From roughly 1890 to roughly 1910, steamboats working Lake Washington counted Leschi Park among their important stops. A ferry also carried passengers across the lake to the Eastside, a service that came before the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, and Madison Park, farther north, ran a similar cross-lake ferry.
Leschi Park claims a place in Seattle zoo history as well. The city's first zoo operated here before moving to Woodland Park in 1903.
Planning Your Visit
Spend an afternoon mixing several activities in one stop: a tennis match on the hill, a picnic, some playground time for the kids, and then a short walk across Lakeside Avenue to the benches by the water. Since the main lawn is a slope, look for a flatter spot before you spread out a blanket. Check with Seattle Parks and Recreation for current hours, court information and any updates before you head out.
Nearby Parks and Landmarks
Leschi Park shares its southwest corner with Frink Park, so you can wander directly from one into the other. Several more green spaces and historic homes sit close by, with straight-line distances listed below.
- Frink Park, 0.2 miles
- Peppi's Playground, 0.2 miles
- Leschi-Lake Dell Natural Area, 0.3 miles
- Judge Ronald House (landmark), 0.4 miles
- Flo Ware Park, 0.4 miles
- Myron Ogden House (landmark), 0.5 miles
- Powell Barnett Park, 0.5 miles
- Madrona Park, 0.6 miles
To stretch your outing, explore our guide to the Leschi neighborhood, or browse our full list of Seattle parks to find more green spaces around the city.
