Kirkland Park Rules

• All parks open at 5 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Exceptions may be made for permitted special events and facility reservations.
• Off-leash dog areas open at dawn and close at dusk
• Outdoor pickleball courts are open from 8 a.m. to dusk

• Consuming alcohol in any park is not allowed. Exceptions may be made for permitted special events and facility reservations. 
• Smoking and tobacco use of any kind, including but not limited to cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, marijuana, cigars, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, and electronic or vaporized smoking devices, is not allowed in any park.
• Illegal drugs are prohibited.

• Your dog and other pets must be leashed at all times, unless they are in a designated off-leash dog area.
• You must be in control of your pet at all times.
• Your dog is not allowed to enter swimming areas.
• Pets must be licensed.
• You are responsible for picking up after your dog and properly disposing of its waste.
• Treat wildlife with respect
• Do not tease, harm, or feed animals including ducks and geese.

See also Off-Leash Dog Areas

• Organized use of an athletic field requires a permit. Please see the Athletic Field Use Policies.
• Drop-in use of an open, unprepped field by a few individuals (not organized sport programs) is allowed on open athletic fields.
• Do not use an athletic field that has been prepped for use, has a "Field Closed" sign, or is so wet that use may cause damage.
• Do not throw or propel objects in a way that could endanger others.
• Golf and archery are not allowed in any park.

• Do not interfere with or obstruct the activities of lifeguards.
• Read rules for our designated swimming beaches.

• Ride bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters only on paths and trails.
• Stay off grassy areas, sports courts, and docks.
• Keep speed under 15 miles per hour.
• Dismount when necessary to ensure the safety of other park users.

City of Kirkland has established a busking permit process, allowing approved buskers to perform at designated parks and other City-owned locations.

Busking is currently allowed in two designated parks located at Juanita Beach Park and Marina Park and in Kirkland public right-of-ways with a two-hour time limit at any location. 

Learn more about Busking Rules and Permits

• Overnight camping is not allowed.

• The use of battery-powered, remote-controlled drones, vehicles, planes, etc. is not allowed. 

• Open fires (including bonfires) are prohibited.
• You may bring a personal gas/propane barbeque to the park, as long as it is used in a location that is safe for park visitors, the landscape, and facilities. A drip pan is required.
• Barbequing with charcoal is only allowed in existing designated charcoal barbeques. 

• Fireworks are prohibited in Kirkland city limits unless it is a properly permitted display. Call the Kirkland Fire Prevention Bureau at 425-587-3650 for more information.
• You may not use firearms, air guns, B.B. guns, slingshots, bows and arrows or any other propelling device in any park.

• Littering on any public property or in waterways is prohibited. Take your trash home with you or use the receptacles available in most parks. If garbage doesn’t fit completely within a trash bin (like pizza boxes), please dispose of off-site.
• Dumping refuse or green waste (such as branches and leaf trimmings) on park land is prohibited.

• Do not prune, remove, or otherwise disturb vegetation in parks or City open spaces.
• Do not encroach on park property through the installation of temporary or permanent building or landscaping features such as lawns and fences.

• Motorized vehicles are not allowed on park lawns, pathways, or trails.
• Obey posted speed limits within parks; if no limit signs are posted, the speed limit is 15 mph.
• Vehicles may not be left in parking lots overnight.
• Parking lots are typically locked overnight, usually from sunset to 8 a.m.

• Sound may not be amplified or travel beyond 50 feet of its origin.
• Sound amplification may be allowed as part of a busking permit, facility use permit, or special event permit. Distance and decibel rules apply.

• Off-leash dog areas are open from dawn until dusk.
• All dogs must be actively supervised by their owner or handler, who are responsible for the behavior of dogs under their supervision.
• Owners and handlers must clean up after dogs and properly dispose of pet waste.
• Dogs must be leashed when outside of the designated off-leash area. This includes parking lots and other areas of parks.
• Dogs in heat, aggressive dogs, and sick dogs are not allowed in off-leash dog parks. Leash and immediately remove from the area any dogs displaying aggressive behavior.
• All dogs must be up to date on vaccines and licensed.
• Do not bring or leave personal belongings in off-leash areas.

Learn more about Off-Leash Dog Areas

• Follow instructions from park rangers.

• Many activities require a permit to be held in a park. Visit the Special Events page and the Facility Rental page to see if your activity or event needs a permit. 

• You may rent picnic areas/shelters.
• When not reserved, picnic areas/shelters are available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• You are responsible for cleaning up the picnic area and disposing your trash.
• Groups larger than 15 people are required to get a park use permit.

• Unless you have a concession contract with the City of Kirkland Parks and Community Services, you may not:
  • Sell food, beverages, or merchandise
  • Provide classes or other services
  • Use park facilities for advertising a business, product, or service.

• Both motorized and non-motorized boats are prohibited from being within 300’ of swimming areas or swimming docks, unless they are involved in a rescue or lifesaving emergency. Parks with swimming areas or swimming docks include Houghton Beach, Waverly Beach, David Brink, Marsh, and Juanita Beach.
• You may not enter the Juanita Bay Park wildlife habitat area, whether by boat (motorized or non-motorized), raft, floatation device, or swimming. Juanita Bay Park and the waters adjacent to the park are a wildlife habitat area. The boundaries of the wildlife habitat area are marked by warning signs posted on buoys.
• Motorized boats may tie off/moor only at Marina Park and Second Avenue Dock.
• Trailered boats may be launched year-round from the Marina Park Boat Launch.
• Trailed boats may be launched from April 1 through October 31 from O.O. Denny Park.
• Non-motorized small watercraft (kayak, paddleboard, etc.) may be launched by hand at O.O. Denny, Juanita Beach, Houghton Beach, and Marina Park.