What is a work party?

As part of COLA's agreement with the city, the Seattle Parks Department maintains the off-leash areas, providing things like tools and materials, the Sanican, mutt mitts, and garbage removal. Park users in turn volunteer their time to work on the park. For instance, in our first year of operation, the Parks department provided many piles of gravel which volunteers then spread on the outer trail to help cut down on mud and wear and tear.

How are work party projects determined?

Largely, you as the park user decide what to do. Our primary goal is to prevent excessive environmental damage--Northacres is in a pilot phase to evaluate whether that can be done successfully here. As Park steward, I listen to suggestions from park users on how best to preserve and improve our off-leash area. For instance, when we laid gravel to cut down on the mud problem, people expressed the concern that not all dogs like to run on gravel. We therefore left the inner trails unpaved for a more natural surface. And when standing water puddles started making dogs sick, we took the suggestion of a park user and installed PVC pipe drains as a solution. Look for the green round drain endcaps for where we installed them. All park modifications and improvements are subject to the approval of the Parks Department.

Northacres needs you!

Anyone and everyone are encouraged to come to a work party. Even if you're only able to come for part of it, we welcome your energy. In fact, we hope that if you use Northacres regularly, that you will make a point to come a couple times a year. If every park user came just once a year, we would have an outstanding turnout every time.

For everyone's safety and efficiency, the park is closed to non-volunteers while work parties are in progress.

Visit SEATTLE PARKS & RECREATION for other volunteer opportunities.