Golden Gardens Park Marine Preserve

WAC 220-16-820: "Golden Gardens Marine Preserve is defined as those tidelands owned by the City of Seattle and the water column above those tidelands down to 4.5 feet below MLLW at Golden Gardens city park, bounded on the southwest by a line projected northwest from a sign at the walkway entrance to the beach, and on the northeast by a line projected due west from 122° 24’ 07.2" W, 47° 41’ 51.8" N. Effective since 5/1/2005.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE MAP

(Note: this is the same map as used for the Carkeek Park MP)

Geographic Statistics Area Type Acres Hectares Intertidal 13.89 5.62 Subtidal None None Total 13.89 5.62 Links to other imagery about this site Oblique aerial photo from the WA Dept. of Ecology. Looking SE, the preserve extends from just right (W) of the westernmost beach house at left, to the path between the parking lot and beach at right. Satellite photo of the area from Terraserver at Microsoft
The map at left, extracted from the Golden Gardens Park MPA map, has the locations (A through D) of the photographer from where the images below were taken. A view of the entrance to the beach and the posted sign from the parking lot walkway (point A in the index picture above). A view to the NE from the beach along the southern boundary (point B). A view SW from a bend north of the middle of the MP (point C). A view to the north from the northern boundary (point D).	Recreational Restrictions / Openings Species Status Comments, notes... Salmon Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Trout Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Bottomfish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Shellfish Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location. Forage Fish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Unclassified Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location. Commercial Restrictions / Openings Species Status Comments, notes... Salmon Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Bottomfish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Shellfish Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location. Forage Fish Limited Fin fishing by hook and line only is allowed. Unclassified Closed Note: inadvertent takes by hook and line must be returned to the same location.
Prominent and unique features Golden Gardens Park Marine Preserve is composed primarily of sand, gravel and cobble with scattered boulders. Clay benches are found in places, often buried under several inches of sand and gravel. The backshore is formed by riprap associated with the adjacent railroad tracks. Description of fish, bird, and mammal resources at the site The beach supports a wide variety of invertebrate species plus a moderate growth of seaweeds. The lower intertidal hosts eelgrass beds that extend into the subtidal supporting additional invertebrates, residential and migratory waterfowl and numerous fishes, including juvenile salmon. Adult salmon may also be present just offshore. The low-subtidal also provides substrate for seasonal kelp beds, providing habitat for dozens of species of fishes. Harbor seals, California sea lions and orca whales have been observed in offshore areas. Programs in place to manage the site The Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist program provides extensive beach interpretation in the late spring and summer. In addition, Seattle Aquarium Citizen Science staff and volunteers conduct periodic ecological surveys at the site for long-term monitoring and science education opportunities. Issues of concern Educating the public about the boundaries of these closed areas as well as their purpose will be crucial to success. The Seattle Aquarium Beach Stewards program will be important in addressing this. Due to the popularity of these areas, impacts from increased non-consumptive use are a potential concern (trampling, etc.). Performance measures Continued or increasing use for education, watchable wildlife users, and non-consumptive uses. Maintenance or increase in numbers and diversity of intertidal organisms.