Smith Cove Park: A Resident’s Guide to the Park Below Magnolia

TL;DR: Smith Cove Park is the city park on 23rd Ave W between the Magnolia Bridge and the Elliott Bay Marina, with a shoreline promenade beside Pier 91 and a playfield on its west side. From Contour it is about 1.7 miles on foot, roughly 35 minutes, most of it on the Elliott Bay Trail. The playfield side is under construction in fall 2026 and will gain a new off-leash dog area, with the grass field fenced until early summer 2027 while it grows in.

Where Smith Cove Park Is

The park sits at the foot of Magnolia, where Interbay meets Elliott Bay. Seattle Parks and Recreation places it on 23rd Ave W, between the Magnolia Bridge and the Elliott Bay Marina, with a listed address of 1450 23rd Ave W.

It is one of the closest waterfront parks to the building, and it is easy to miss. The route in runs past warehouses and the cruise terminal before the water opens up in front of you.

Detail	What to know
Location	23rd Ave W between the Magnolia Bridge and the Elliott Bay Marina
Hours	4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Amenities listed	Drinking fountains, views, a promenade with picnic tables
Dogs	On leash only for now, and not on athletic fields or beaches
Status, October 2026	Playfield side under construction, partial reopening expected late 2026
From 3036 16th Ave W	About 1.7 miles on foot, or about 1.6 miles and 12 minutes by bike

Two Parts: the Shoreline and the Playfield

Smith Cove is really two pieces of land, and they work very differently.

The Shoreline Side

This is the original Smith Cove Park, a narrow strip at the south end of the site along Elliott Bay. The Seattle Parks listing describes a 0.7-mile path that winds past warehouses before reaching the Smith Cove bulkhead right beside Pier 91. There, a concrete promenade with picnic tables looks across the bay toward Alki, with port activity, ducks and gulls for company.

It is a place to sit, eat lunch and watch the port work. It is not a beach, and it is not large.

The Playfield Side

The parcel west of 23rd Ave W has long been used by the Magnolia Youth Soccer Club. The city plans to keep soccer there and open the field to lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, baseball and softball as well, with the long-term aim of a field that plays well year-round.

The shoreline side is for slowing down. The playfield side is for running around. After the rebuild, it will have room for dogs too.

What Is Under Construction

Seattle Parks updated its project page on October 20, 2026. Phase 1 covers the west parcel and playfield, with a $3.3 million budget from the Seattle Park District.

• Who and when: A-1 Landscaping and Construction mobilized in late September 2025.
• What is being built: a natural-turf playfield with an underdrain system, a new off-leash dog area, a bioretention basin with native planting, log zones and widened accessible trails.
• What to expect next: the city anticipates substantial completion later this year for a partial reopening. The grass field stays fenced until early summer 2027 while it establishes.

The project has a long history. A community group, Friends of Smith Cove Park, led the first outreach and concept in 2015, and the work paused from 2020 to 2023 because of pandemic budget cuts.

What Comes After

Phase 2 covers the shoreline side and is not funded yet. The city’s plan calls for shoreline restoration, access to Elliott Bay and other park amenities, built around a King County facility on the site. Follow the Smith Cove Park Development page for updates.

Getting There From Interbay

From the building, there are two sensible ways in, and one is clearly nicer.

• On the trail: walk west to the Elliott Bay Trail’s north access near 21st Ave W, about 15 minutes, then follow the Terminal 91 Trail south around the piers to the park. That is about 1.7 miles and 35 minutes in total, almost all of it away from traffic.
• By street: head south on 15th Ave W and cross the Magnolia Bridge on its sidewalk. It is about the same distance, but the sidewalk is narrow and runs beside traffic.
• By bike: about 1.6 miles and 12 minutes on the trail.

Distances come from mapped routes starting at 3036 16th Ave W, rounded. The flat valley floor makes the walk easy, which our Interbay neighborhood guide covers in more detail.

Dogs at Smith Cove, Now and Later

Right now Smith Cove follows Seattle’s standard rules. Dogs are welcome in city parks on a leash, and city code keeps them off organized athletic fields, beaches and children’s play areas at all times. In practice, that means a leashed walk along the paths and the promenade, and not on the playfield.

Seattle Parks lists Smith Cove among its planned off-leash areas, and the new fenced area is part of Phase 1. Until it opens, the closest existing option is the Magnolia Manor Park off-leash area at 3500 28th Ave W, about a mile from the building and uphill. The city describes it as a 21,000 square foot area with a dog drinking fountain.

For the rest of the off-leash map near Interbay, see our guide to Seattle with a dog.

Making a Loop of It

Smith Cove works best as one stop on a longer walk rather than a destination on its own.

• The waterfront loop: follow the trail south from the park past the Pier 86 grain elevators into Centennial Park, which has restrooms and Café Hagen in its new haʔłali building.
• The short version: trail down, lunch on the promenade, trail back, about 70 minutes of walking in all.

Back home, Contour’s rooftop deck looks out toward Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, and full-size in-unit laundry handles muddy dog towels. The neighborhood page shows what else is close by.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Smith Cove Park in Seattle?

The park is on 23rd Ave W, between the Magnolia Bridge and the Elliott Bay Marina, at the south edge of Magnolia where it meets Elliott Bay. Seattle Parks lists the address as 1450 23rd Ave W, 98199. The shoreline promenade sits just west of Pier 91.

What are the Smith Cove Park hours?

Seattle Parks lists the park as open from 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Parts of the site are under construction in fall 2026, and the new grass playfield is expected to stay fenced until early summer 2027, so some areas may be closed even during open hours. Check the city’s project page before you go.

Is Smith Cove Park open during construction?

Partly. Phase 1 work on the west parcel began in late September 2025, and Seattle Parks expected substantial completion later in 2026 for a partial reopening. The grass field will remain fenced until early summer 2027 so the turf can establish. The October 20, 2026 project update is the most recent status we found.

Does Smith Cove Park have an off-leash dog area?

Not yet. A new off-leash dog area is part of the Phase 1 improvements, and Seattle Parks lists Smith Cove among its planned off-leash sites. Until it opens, dogs must be leashed, and they are not allowed on athletic fields or beaches. The nearest open off-leash area is at Magnolia Manor Park.

How do I walk to Smith Cove Park from Interbay?

From 3036 16th Ave W, walk west to the Elliott Bay Trail’s north access point near 21st Ave W, then follow the Terminal 91 Trail south around the piers. The route is about 1.7 miles and takes roughly 35 minutes. You can also cross the Magnolia Bridge on its sidewalk, but it is narrow and runs beside traffic.

Is there a beach at Smith Cove Park?

Not today. The shoreline side is a narrow strip with a concrete promenade and picnic tables beside Pier 91, not a sand beach. The city’s future Phase 2 plan includes shoreline restoration and access to Elliott Bay, but it is not funded yet, so there is no timeline for it.

A Quiet Corner of the Bay, Close to Home

Smith Cove is small, practical and closer than most people realize: a 35-minute walk on a mostly car-free trail, a promenade over the water, and a playfield that is about to come back with room for dogs. Watch the city’s project page as the 2027 field opening gets closer.

If an easy walk to the water matters to you, come see the route for yourself. Stop by the Open House every Thursday from 3PM to 5PM, browse available apartments, or call the leasing team at (206) 650-7565.

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