Commodore Park

Bring your binoculars to Commodore Park, a waterside public park on the Magnolia side of the Ballard Locks, where a heron habitat meets scenic canal views.

Part ofLawton Park Parks in Seattle

Frequently asked questions

Commodore Park is at 3330 W Commodore Way, Seattle, WA 98107, on the Magnolia side of the Ballard Locks. It is in the Lawton Park neighborhood, near the Salmon Bay Bridge.

Yes. Commodore Park has a heron habitat, which makes it a good stop for birdwatchers.

The park is known for its heron habitat and its canal views. One local magazine named it Seattle's best park for scenic canal views.

Kiwanis Memorial Preserve Park is about 0.2 miles away, and Thyme Patch Park is about 0.4 miles away. Northwest 60th St. Viewpoint, Ballard Playground and Marvin's Garden are all within about 0.7 miles.

Herons and canal water share the spotlight on the Magnolia side of the Ballard Locks. Here, right beside the Salmon Bay Bridge in Seattle, Commodore Park gives you a public waterside stop with two standout reasons to linger: a heron habitat and canal views that one local magazine ranked the best of any park in the city.

Watch for Herons and Take In the Canal

Bring binoculars and a little patience, because Commodore Park is home to a heron habitat that rewards birdwatchers who take their time. Then turn your attention to the setting itself, stretched along the canal. When a magazine rounded up the nine best Seattle parks for spending time with loved ones, Commodore Park claimed the top spot for its scenic canal views.

With wildlife on one side and water all around, the park makes a natural choice for a slow walk or a quiet conversation. It also works beautifully as a pause while you explore the rest of the Ballard Locks area.

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Find Your Way to W Commodore Way

Head to 3330 W Commodore Way, Seattle, WA 98107, on the south side of the locks in the Lawton Park neighborhood of Magnolia. Keep an eye out for the Salmon Bay Bridge, a local landmark only about a tenth of a mile away, which makes an easy reference point as you arrive.

Seattle Parks and Recreation manages the park, so check the city parks website for current details before you set out.

Add Nearby Green Spaces to Your Outing

Several other parks sit close by, so you can easily turn one visit into a stroll that takes in more than one. The distances below are straight-line measurements.