Kerry Park
About
What It Is
Kerry Park is a small public park and viewpoint covering 1.26 acres on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington. [2] It sits along West Highland Drive between 2nd Avenue West and 3rd Avenue West, overlooking downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier. [2] The land was donated to the city by Albert S. Kerry and his wife Katharine in 1927, with the stated intention that all who stop there may enjoy its view. [2] The park opened to the public in 1928. [3]
Activities & Experiences
Visitors come primarily to take in the panoramic southward view of the Seattle skyline, with the Space Needle prominent at center, Elliott Bay to the west, and Mount Rainier in the background on clear days. [2] The park contains two small lawn sections, a railing, several benches facing the skyline, and two coin-operated telescopes for closer inspection of landmarks. [3] At the center of the park stands Changing Form, a hollow steel sculpture by artist Doris Totten Chase, 15 feet tall and installed in 1971, which children use as a play area and photographers use as a framing device. [2] A stairway at the west end of the park connects down to West Prospect Street and the Bayview-Kinnear Park, which has a small playground. [2]
Sunset is a particularly popular time to visit, when city lights begin to appear and ferries cross the water below. [3] The view is considered best from the western portion of the park, as trees at the eastern end can obstruct sightlines. [3] Winter visits offer clearer views of the skyline because deciduous trees below have lost their leaves, though autumn brings colorful foliage within the park itself. [3]
Practical Access
The park is a publicly accessible outdoor space managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation. [1] A paved walkway runs along the wall and railing. [3] No fees, hours, or reservation requirements are noted in the sources.
Restrictions
No specific restrictions noted in the sources.
What Makes It Distinctive
Kerry Park is widely regarded as the single most iconic vantage point for viewing the Seattle skyline, a reputation reflected in its regular appearance on postcards, in local television news backdrops, and in films such as 10 Things I Hate About You and the television series Frasier. [2][3] The combination of the Space Needle, downtown skyline, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier in a single unobstructed frame is available from very few urban locations, and the park's small scale means the viewpoint is immediately accessible from the street without a long walk or climb. [2][3] The Changing Form sculpture adds a secondary point of interest and a distinctive compositional element for photographers. [2]
Sources
- Kerry Park (Franklin Place) - Parks | seattle.gov
- Kerry Park
- Kerry Park - Seattle, United States | CityDays
- Typical duration: 1h
Access & fees
- free entry
Things to do
- children's play in sculpture
- skyline photography
- sunset viewing
- telescope sightseeing
Amenities
- adjacent playground
Best time to visit
- autumn for foliage color
- sunset for city lights
- winter for clearest view
Features
- benches and railing
- coin-operated telescopes
- panoramic skyline view
- paved walkway along wall
- steel sculpture on-site
- two small lawn sections
Nearby
- bayview-kinnear park
Good to know
- 1.26 acres total area
- managed by seattle parks & recreation
- no restrooms on-site.
- parking is very limited
- poor visibility can substantially reduce the experience
- west end has best views
Photos
