Shoreline May Lose Dog Park Over Lease Renewal

SHORELINE, WA — State officials have informed the city of Shoreline that they will not renew a lease on the Eastside Off-Leash Area, which could leave the city with only one year-round dog park.

The Eastside dog park is located at the state Department of Social and Health Services-owned Fircrest campus. The city's lease with the state expires on Dec. 31. City officials say they will try to work with DSHS on a compromise.

"The city has leased the Eastside Off-Leash Dog Park from DSHS for the past six years. As the landlord, DSHS has the authority to make these changes. However, we will continue to work collaboratively with them to see if we can help resolve their concerns around safety and access in order to keep this valuable amenity accessible to our community," city officials said in a statement on Friday.

The Fircrest campus is home to about 200 developmentally disabled adults, and has occupied the property since 1959. The dog park is located on the south end of the campus west of South Woods Park. DSHS over the Labor Day weekend began closing the gates at the entrance to the park at 6 p.m. each night, reopening them at 6 a.m. each morning.

The city's other dog park is at Shoreview Park. There is an off-leash area at Richmond Beach Park that's open between November and March each year.