City Park Marine Reserves Rule

This legislation creates City Park Marine Reserves in the marine and intertidal areas within certain portions of Golden Gardens, Carkeek Park, South Alki/Richey Viewpoint, Lincoln Park, Schmitz Viewpoint and Discovery Park.

Although many of these activities are already unlawful in a City park, this legislation will specifically designate City of Seattle park sites along Puget Sound as Marine Reserves and as such prohibit taking of shellfish, capturing of any wildlife species and otherwise damaging or destroying submerged or intertidal lands within our parks.

If there is a legitimate public purpose for any of these activities, the Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation may grant permission, provided that it does not violate other applicable federal, state or local law.

Marine Reserves will still be open to the public, but the Superintendent has the authority to close all or part of a City Park Marine Reserve for a specific period of time.

This rule gives us an opportunity to highlight the importance of our critical marine habitat and spell out activities that are prohibited in these designated areas.

We are developing signage, a public education brochure, post information on our website and will use other means to get the work out and educate the general public.

There are no additional mechanisms to enforce this rule; we will rely on the same methods used to enforce the Park Code. Individuals will need to call police or animal control to report violations.

 » view full rule (PDF)
 » Seattle Aquarium Marine Reserve web page

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