Green Lake

The Green Lake neighborhood in north central Seattle surrounds its centerpiece lake and park. There is a 2.8-mile path around the lake for runners, bikers, skaters and walkers. Many others use the athletic fields or visit the park for boating, picnics and swimming.

It’s generally accepted boundaries are Interstate 5 to the east, 85th Street to the north, and Aurora Avenue N to the west, beyond which lies Phinney Ridge and Greenwood, and to the south N 60th Street and Woodland Park, beyond which lies Wallingford.

First surveyed the 1855, with the first settler, Erhart Seifried, plotting a 132-acre homestead on the northeast shore of the lake in 1869. A trolley line was extended from Fremont In 1891, along the eastern shore and around the northern end of Green Lake. In 1891 Green Lake was annexed to Seattle.

There is an extensive variety of housing types in Green Lake. Since 1995, the neighborhood has undergone significant redevelopment. Many houses have been completely remodeled and enlarged, often with the addition of another floor. This is a consequence of Green Lake's easy access to Downtown via both Interstate 5 and Aurora Avenue.

The Green Lake Library, a Carnegie library that occupies 5,000 square feet and cost $35,000 to build, was opened in 1910. In 1999 the library held 54,000 catalogued items. The library was closed during 2003 for remodeling and reopened in March 2004. It is part of the Seattle Public Library system.

Prior to the 1991 redistricting, Green Lake formed the center of Washington's 32nd Legislative District.

Green Lake is home to Green Lake Elementary School, Daniel Bagley Elementary School, Bishop Blanchet High School, and Seattle Parks and Recreation Department's Green Lake Small Craft Center (GLSCC) and the site of both Green Lake Crew, a public rowing program, and the Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club.