Visit Ballard Locks & Walk to Shilshole Bay Marina

The walk begins at the Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks and heading west will take in the sites and see Salmon Bay; travel on the Burke-Gilman Trail; visit outdoor statues and art and return back to finish with a walk through the Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Gardens and finally, seeing the Locks area. The designated walk will be about 4+ miles of which most will be flat, but will include uneven pavement, possibly steps, sidewalks, gravel and at times, it includes traffic noise from the street next to us. See Additional Activities for this Event below.

Location, Parking & Public Transit Options: We will use the address for the Lockspot Cafe, 3005 NW Locks Pl, Seattle, WA 98107 - as it’s across from the entrance where we will meet inside the iron gates entering the locks area.

Parking in the nearby lots or on some side streets should be free on Sunday; however, be sure to check any parking notice signs to confirm it is free or if not, pay the fee in advance of leaving your vehicle. Parking on some side streets are typically for neighborhood residents, again, check the signs.

Public Transit Buses are 44 and 40 are on the main street outside the Ballard Locks - be sure to check the transit time for an on-time arrival on time.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z3tiPQPb2xU1f35PA

Restrooms: Are available at the beginning and end only, at the locks, as restrooms on Sunday at our turnaround location are not open on Sundays. The restroom is about a 5 minute walk towards the locks once you are inside the gates.

Registration & Where to Meet: Sign in when you arrive, be ready to leave by 10:00 am. The photo shows how to find us: The sign in the left photo reads ‘Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden’ you’ll see as you enter a parking area.

Find Us: After the parking area, walk through the open iron gates and you’ll see this small building (photo on right) with a bench on the backside of it. Find us there and Val will be wearing an orange coat holding a small laminated Feet First sign.

Access: Children and well-behaved dogs are welcome. When we are on the Burke-Gilman Trail and some sidewalks, we will be sharing these with walkers, runners, strollers and other wheeled devices. Note: if you go to the Farmers Market, there will also be many strollers and dogs are requested to be on a short leash.

Additional Activities for this event:

• Following the walk at the Ballard Locks, you can finish the walk there or join us by continuing to walk to the year-round Ballard Farmers Market (see link) with over 100 vendors and open from 9 am - 2 pm. The link is updated every Friday for the vendors who will attend on Sunday. The market is on rain or shine.
• Located at: 5345 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107.
• On our way to the market, we will walk past the troll, Frankie Feetsplinters (14 ft tall) who lives outside of the Nordic Museum and was created by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo. This will add a half a mile to the walk and be a round trip back to the Ballard Locks of 1 mile. Feel free to grab lunch while you’re touring the market or there are also many great places in Ballard for food.
• Chris and I plan to visit **Channel Marker Cider **following the walk activities around 2 pm. They are located at: 5201 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
• This is a fun, local taproom and a family and dog friendly place that allow you to bring your own food when visiting. They offer beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks, but not meals.

CLOTHING: As we will be crossing a number of busy streets wearing something bright to be visible to motorists would be safer for everyone.

FITNESS: To take part on this walk you need to be able to walk 4+ miles round trip on paved sidewalks, steps, streets without sidewalks, narrow road shoulders with some uneven surfaces and short hills.

WEATHER: Prepare for the weather, currently expecting temps of 46-51℉ with early clouds and rain. We will be watching the weather but this walk will be held, rain or shine. Be sure to bring water and a snack.