Lincoln Park Marine Preserve - Marine Protected Areas within Puget Sound

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Marine Protected Areas within Puget Sound

Lincoln Park Marine Preserve

WAC 220-16-840: "Lincoln Park 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 Lincoln city park, bounded on the south by a line projected due west from 122° 23' 40.4" W, 47° 31' 33.1" N, and bounded on the north by a line projected due west from 122° 24' 05.0" W, 47° 31' 49.8" N. Effective since 5/1/2005.

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Links to other imagery about this site

Oblique aerial photos from the WA Dept. of Ecology (Williams Point and north are left)
Satellite photos of the area from Google Maps
Satellite imagery of the area from Flashearth

The map at left shows the locations (A through F) of the photographer from where the images below were taken.

The southern entrance to the park, looking north (from point A in the index picture above).	The sign marking the southern boundary is located at the coordinate mentioned in the WAC (from point B). A hedge has been planted along the boundary.
A ways into the park (point C), looking south back onto the southern entrance.	Mid way into the park (point D), looking north.
Near the north end of the park (point E), looking north. The coordinate in the WAC for the northern boundary is where the white flag pole is.	Standing on the riprap due west of the flag pole (point F), looking south. The view of the length of the park is cut off by the walls of the Colman swimming pool.

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.

Geographic Statistics

Area Type	Acres	Hectares
Intertidal	10.16	4.11
Subtidal	None	None
Total	10.16	4.11

Prominent and unique features

Lincoln Park Marine Preserve is composed primarily of sand, gravel and cobble with scattered boulders. The backshore is formed by drift logs with sand and gravel periodically provided for stabilization.

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 higher intertidal gravels have supported sand lance and surf smelt spawning. The low-subtidal 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.