Dr. Jose Rizal Park

L.A., imma let you finish, but Seattle has the best dog parks of all time.
We just moved here a few weeks ago so this was our first adventure in Seattle’s off-​leash areas. This park was a little difficult to find from the main parking lot. The dog park is closest to 12^th, BEFORE you hit the main parking area, and there’s street parking outside the entrance.
I’m used to dog parks that are all sand and pretty small, with limited vegetation, so it was a surprise to find out just how big and natural this park is. It’s big enough for the humans to get a good walk in while the dogs run and play.
We only encountered a handful of dogs since it was so early on a Sunday, including one guy who brought his aggressive small spitz who kept snapping at my pup. Everyone else had well-​behaved dogs, although the humans were a bit distant. Not like the friendly chatter I’m used to at the dog parks in L.A. It’s probably a little hit-​or-​miss depending on the time of day.
There was one vaguely sketchy homeless person loitering around the parking lot, but he left me alone and I left him alone. No big deal. There are also a few homeless encampments close to the highway. There’s a bunch of signs saying if you see encampments you can report them. It’s a small tradeoff to have access to a great park, in my opinion.
Overall, it was a good experience and I’m glad it’s so close to our new digs. My one wish is that they would put some signs pointing towards the dog park in the main parking area and put signs on the gates — «Now leaving dog park», or something like that. Pretty sure we accidentally left the dog area and went onto one of the walking paths and I had no clue.

Without Citizens for Off Leash Areas (COLA) this off leash park would not exist and some folks would not be able to complain. If it’s muddy it most likely has rained. It is the Pacific Northwest after all. Wear boots. If the brambles are too bushy then next time bring a pair of hedge trimmers. If there’s a homeless person slinking about and you feel unsafe then for pete’s sake go home. And if there are no poop bags then drop the attitude and be forearmed: bring your own. You are not entitled. My dog especially loves Jose Rizal Off Leash Dog Park. It’s a nice walk from Yesler and 12^th. Only one thing: the Mosquitos are vicious so long sleeves and pants are recommended, especially when the sun begins to wane.

First time at this park and we jumped a #36 bus from Pioneer Square (where my dog and I live) to Judkins Street, and walked a couple of blocks to the south end of the park. We wandered down the steep trail on that end — and though I consider myself pretty smart and aware, I will say it’s a sketchy trail to go down alone, even at 11am on a Monday. That aside — we came on a locked fenced area that wasn’t the dogpark, but continued down the trail (and it is littered with garbage) to the actual dog park which is large, hilly, and does actually have water (there’s a faucet at the north end of the park) for the dogs. We met a lot of great dogs and two obviously pro dog walkers who each had at least 6 dogs with them — but my puggle dug it, I loved the view, and exiting to the paved trail got us right back to 12^th ave, which set us on a great walk home. I like this place — wish the basic park part of it wasn’t so cruddy, but the off-​leash area more than makes up for it — we’ll enter from the North from now on!

I live about a block from this park so maybe I’ve become jaded. This park IS nice and pretty underused. there are plenty of picnic tables and barbecue grills, so it makes for a nice quiet spot on a sunny day. There is a spectacular view of downtown Seattle and Safeco field. The park used to be frequented by homeless people, but not so much anymore, which is good (I don’t mind homeless people but a homeless man there once just randomly started taking picture of me with an old camera. not cool.)
I’ve gone to the dog park just once and I likely will not return. It’s very large, which is about the only big perk it has. it consists of a pretty long set of wooden stairs down to a big field. Unfortunately the dog park was just too muddy for my pooch’s liking. There was no water faucet or spicket in the dog park to grab water for your dog or rinse them off, and both of the doggie bag containers I saw were empty. There was also really no one else there. The whole time I was there I only saw 3 other people come and go.

Awesome secret neighborhood spot! There’s an off leash dog area, a running trail, and a great view of downtown and the sound & Olympics. No playground equipment or anything like that, mostly just a little field with some picnic benches.

A few things:
1. Best view of any dog park in Seattle
2. There were a lot of dogs when I went today and many parking spots
3. There is a water bucket and faucet for dogs
4. It’s a long park with trees so there’s some shade
5. At the upper part of the park there are bathrooms for humans
The parking isn’t where Google maps takes you. I’d park to the right (heading south on 12^th after the turn at the old hospital) street parking after the curve. The entrance to the dog park is right there. If you keep going to the regular park/​bathroom/​parking spots you’ll have to walk down the hill a short distance. You go into the double fenced gate and walk down a dirt/​wood staircase to another gate where the actual park is. My normally shy dog had fun with the mix of dogs to the park!

This park is seriously underrated. I don’t understand the hate. I’ve been to most of the dog parks in Seattle, and this is probably my favorite after Marymoor & Magnuson.

This place is like a sad sesame street skit. Middle of the city, nobody there, slightly overgrown. The whole place was muddy, to the point of being soggy. Which part about it was that there were no other dogs there. My dog and I got to play with was a lot of fun, but the whole point was so that she could play with some other dogs as well. I also really did not like that the bramble bushes were so unchecked. I don’t think that I will come back. Now I’m on my way to find a better park for my dog to play at.

Located a few blocks up the hill from Little Saigon and the International District is Jose Rizal Park.
It is located across the street from the Pacific Medical Center building if you are trying to locate it. Make a turn to your right when you see the PacMed building if you are driving south on 12^th Ave. Otherwise, you will encounter Daejeon Park instead.
This is not really your conventional type of park. Sure, there is an off leash dog park area but this is really more of a viewpoint type of spot. There is a picnic table area here making it good for an outdoor meal with a view.
But really it is the views of the downtown Seattle skyline and the two sports stadiums (CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field) that I come here for. The view is slightly obstructed as there is some brush below towards the north.
While most folks go to Kerry Park for their picture taking of the Seattle skyline, if you are looking for a southside viewpoint to shoot from, try Jose Rizal Park as an alternative.

A dog park with amazing views!!!
I love this park! Today was my first time taking my puppy to this park and he loved it as well. There’s a short trail from the parking lot to get to the main park which wasn’t too bad. There’s also an area that is fenced off if you don’t feel safe having your dog roam free. The park is clean! No garbage anywhere, which is great.
The park wasn’t busy when I got there. There was about 5 other owners with their pets. Everyone was friendly.
Not only did I get to enjoy a day at the at the park with my puppy, but I also got to enjoy beautify views of the city. It was beautiful day out. You can see the safeco and century link field as well as downtown Seattle.
All in all, 5 stars for this park! I plan on going here on a regular basis

I can’t believe it was my first time seeing this place!
The park is pretty small, with a covered area for sitting, a statue of Jose Rizal and some good parking. It was the view that was amazing! I mean really? Downtown, CenturyLink field and Safeco field all in one pretty picture. I was beyond surprised. Not only that, but you can park your car, then walk down toward the Jose Rizal bridge and have a pretty awesome view on foot! I would recommend anyone to visit here at least once. :)

We came here on a Sunday afternoon and practically had the park to ourselves. There was one dog leaving right after we entered, and another entered just as we were packing up to leave.
The park is very large and has really nice views of the stadium areas downtown. My dog liked running up and down the hills but, as it is on a hill, keep in mind that you’ll have to go down quite a few stairs entering the park and back up as you exit — not handicap accessible.
This is a great off-​leash park, so bring your pup and check it out!

You want a great park on the south end of Seattle to take some amazing pics, then Dr. Jose Rizal Park is the place to go. The views are breathtaking and there are great vantage points on the top portion of the park and lower portion down by the off leash dog park.
I guess I can begin with the lower area of the park, which is where the dog park is located. The off leash park has plenty of space to let your dog run free and looks like it is well maintained. I don’t really know how packed it gets with dogs since I have only been here early in the morning to take pics.
The upper area of the park has a nice covered area with tables and benches to sit and enjoy a picnic. There are also BBQ pits to cook a delicious lunch. Next to the picnic area are the restrooms and there is also a play area for the kids to keep them entertained. The parking situation isn’t bad. There is a decent sized parking lot and if that fills up there is always street parking. The park itself isn’t the biggest one around but it is defiantly one of the best.

First time at this off leash dog park and it was a great experience. According to other reviews this park was recently under renovations not sure what it looked like before but it looks pretty good.
So it’s a little confusing but there is a parking lot up past the main entrance of the park. If you actually just park on the street the entrance is closer towards the red light. The entrance to the park is a large set of stairs that I am guessing they just put in. Nice wooden stairs with gravel inbtwn, leads you to a second gate down the hill. At the entrance of that gate is a water spout for running water so that is great as not all dog parks have access to fresh water.
The park itself is a great size, mostly grass with a gravel trail leading down the middle of it, lots of good places for your dog to run and play. Most of the park is slopped so no real flat areas like other dog parks.
When we were there @12PM on a Saturday it was EMPTY only one other person showed up when we were there. Very surprising because most parks are full of people on a nice day like today. Guessing it was everyone elses bad experience or the fact that it was under construction that turned folks away from it. But more people need to come here so my dog has someone to play with =).
The view is great, can’t beat the view don’t think any other dog park has a view of both stadiums, puget sound, olympic mountains and downtown seattle.
Overall great dog park, has what you need for you and your pup please pay a visit hopefully see you there!
P. S. Some previous post mentioned seeing homeless people. Didn’t see a single one but doesn’t mean they don’t go there. Still be aware of your surroundings where ever you go.