Fred Hutchinson Playground

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fred Hutchinson Playground is located in Seattle, Washington and is named after Fred Hutchinson, a former Major League Baseball player and manager.


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Summary

The playground is a popular destination for families and tourists alike, offering a variety of recreational activities and stunning views of Lake Union.

One of the main reasons to visit Fred Hutchinson Playground is the range of activities it offers. Visitors can enjoy a picnic on the grassy hillside, take a hike on the nearby trails, or enjoy a game of basketball or volleyball on the courts. Additionally, the playground features a children's play area with swings, monkey bars, and climbing structures.

One of the most popular points of interest at Fred Hutchinson Playground is the historic Gas Works Park, which is located adjacent to the playground. This former gasification plant has been converted into a public park and is now home to a variety of recreational activities, including kite flying, picnicking, and hiking. The park also offers spectacular views of the Seattle skyline and Lake Union.

Another notable feature of Fred Hutchinson Playground is the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop, a 6.2-mile trail that circles Lake Union. This trail offers stunning views of the lake and the city and is a popular destination for joggers, walkers, and cyclists.

Interesting facts about Fred Hutchinson Playground include its history as a former industrial site. Prior to its conversion into a public park, the area was used as a coal gasification plant, which produced gas for lighting and heating in the early 20th century.

The best time of year to visit Fred Hutchinson Playground is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is bustling with activity. However, visitors can enjoy the playground and surrounding areas year-round, with stunning views and a variety of recreational activities available in every season.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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