Northacres opens for doggy business, Dec. 15, 2000.

(L to R: Rory, gardener; Janine, volunteer coordinator; Jerry, park staff; Carol and Bob, Friends of Northacres;Dewey, Parks Dept.; Theresa, volunteer coordinator asst.; Sandi, North crew chief; Droopy, the Explorer Dog.)

In the early 1990's, citizens looking for a legitimate space to exercise their dogs began a movement that would culminate in the formation of off-leash areas six years later.

Councilmember Jan Drago was instrumental in setting up the first public meeting in October, 1994. In Februrary 1995, Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) was born. Finally, in 1997 the Seattle City Council voted unanimously to establish permanent off-leash areas in Seattle. The Council gave COLA the responsibility of maintaining and stewarding the sites under the direction of the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation.

Northacres irons out a few wrinkles

Although Northacres was one of the original off-leash areas designated by the City Council, due to budget issues park planning didn't start until 1999. During the public process, there was resistance to forming an off-leash area from the local community. In a collaborative effort, Parks, COLA, Friends of Northacres Park, and the Haller Lake Community Club worked together to craft an agreement, the result of which is the beautiful park we have today. Fenced-off islands protect the natural habitat, while dog trails meander between them for a truly unique off-leash area experience.

A grand opening

Northacres officially opened on December 15, 2000. Volunteers cleaned out countless glass bottles and beer cans and yanked out innumerable blackberry bushes and other non-native plants to get the off-leash area ready for its grand opening. Since then, volunteers have continued to pull weeds, improve trails and drainage, add beautiful wooden split-rail fencing, plant native plants, and innumerable other improvement projects with the assistance of COLA and the Seattle Parks Department.