Seattle Parks Wading Pools

I wish there were wading pools on the Eastside like this! Our favorite is Wallingford but we haven't checked out very many. My son loves that he can get in as deep as he wants. There is a gradual slope on one end and the deeper part is sectioned off by stone columns that are fun to maneuver across too. There are benches and a nice grassy slope to sit on. The pool area is recessed from the street so you don't have to walk far and you don't have to worry about little ones running off. A word of caution- Keep a good eye on the little ones even in shallow water. When my son was 14 months old he fell in water that was probably knee high and didn't know yet to stand back up. He was squatting with his hands and feet touching the bottom of the pool and his face in the water. Luckily I was standing right there with him but it was scary to see how kids can drown in shallow water. I agree with the other poster that it would be nice if they opened the pool earlier! more

As a new mom in 2003, I did not know a lot about the facilities at all of the area parks. I was thrilled to learn about all the wading pools in Seattle last summer when my daughter was turning 1 year old. I can't wait to take her back to them this summer. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/aquatics/wadingpools.htm The website has a list of the various wading pools around the city. They are clean and well-maintained. There is a "lifeguard" at each pool - seems like usually a college student working a summer job. Swimmers who are not potty-trained need a swim diaper, and the staff at the pool do a good job making sure everyone has one! Visiting the community pool saves water you might otherwise use filling your own pool or running a sprinkler for your kids, so it's good for the environment and salmon too. Take sand and bath toys, arrange play dates there, take your PEPS group but do check them out. Many open later this month. My only "problem" has been that they don't fill the pools until noon, so it's not a morning activity. Plus, the staff won't let you in until the pool is filled, and it's hard to keep a determined toddler out of the pool at 11:55 am while it's still filling! (ps, if you're in the Northeast end of Seattle, Viewridge and Ravenna have great pools, but we like Dahl too - this little park is not well-known and the pool is never crowded - but shhhh....don't tell anyone else!) more