Commodore Park

Commodore Park is a 3.9-acre public park located on the Magnolia side of the Ballard Locks in Seattle, Washington. The park offers visitors scenic views of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, where foaming water flows through the spillways and ships can be observed traversing the government locks.

The park features a hillside with pathways leading down to a promenade along the canal. Visitors can enjoy comfortable walks along this promenade, which is equipped with park benches and cozy shelters. At the canal level, the fish ladder is clearly visible, providing an opportunity to observe migrating salmon during certain times of the year.

Commodore Park is notable for hosting Seattle's largest colony of Great Blue Herons, the city's official bird. In 2013, the heron colony relocated to the park from nearby Kiwanis Ravine due to eagle predation. The park's red alder trees provide suitable nesting grounds for these birds, and their presence has made the park a point of interest for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The park also serves as a site for ongoing habitat restoration efforts. Volunteer groups, such as Heron Habitat Helpers, work to maintain and improve the park's ecosystem, including removing invasive species and planting native vegetation along the shoreline.

While Commodore Park may not offer extensive recreational facilities, its unique combination of urban and natural elements, along with its historical significance related to the Ballard Locks, makes it a distinctive location within Seattle's park system.