Gene Coulon Memorial Beach and Park in Renton, Washington: Open Year Round

Gene Coulon Memorial Park in Renton, Washington is a twelve months a year sort of beach where children run free and there's many things to do. Located on the south shore of Lake Washington about 20 miles south of both Seattle and Bellevue and 11 miles East of SeaTac airport, the Park is easily accessible from I-405 and from Park Ave. The street address in 1201 Lake Washington Boulevard.

For Christmas, the trees twinkle and blink from Ivar's ClamLights display. Ivar's is one of two restaurants located at this beach and is noted for their good deep fried cod and chips. The also have halibut, shrimp, clam strips (which don't use egg in their breading). The other is Kidd Valley, a fifties-style place that is home of everyone's favorite burger, thick milkshakes and garlic fries that smell heavenly. Fast food found in a beautiful location. In summer time a concession stand also operates and sells blow up float rings, candy, ice cream, hot dogs and all the stuff that make going to the beach a treat.

Summer time Gene Coulon beach can be crowded or not depending on the temperature. It's a popular place to hold picnics, with reservable covered shelters and open air picnic tables galore. Families love it because there are two horse shoe pits, two tennis courts, two volleyball courts and a lot of running space to throw that Frisbee, play with your dog, or wrestle. While Mom and Dad cook, the children can climb and slide in the playground to their heart's content. Concerts are offered through most of the summer and many easy listening bands play.

The beach is sandy and well maintained with a full crew of lifeguards. Children love to wade year round, many swim. The water quality is pretty good considering it sits on Lake Washington. It was recently closed due to high bacteria counts, but reopened again. The Lake supports a large population of houses, wildlife, and boating activities that contribute to the problem and to the annoying growth of milfoil. But when it gets hot, no one really cares. The water looks clear and is cool and refreshing. Restrooms and changing rooms are located in several places.

But you don't actually have to get wet at Gene Coulon Beach. There's a huge boat launch where eight boats can put in simultaneously and more places where you can tie up and get to those restaurants. You can also learn to sail at the sailing club. Lessons are taught locally and once you've become a trained member, you can take the sailboat out any time. I took the classes once and you learn everything from spinnaker to jib.

There's more though. There's also wildlife. We've spotted nutria, squirrels, rabbits in the mammal department. In the bird area, coots, Canadian Geese, Gadwall, Grebe, Double-crested cormorant, Great Blue Heron, three types of Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, several varieties of Gull, Red-winged Blackbird, Chickadee, House Sparrow and many more. In wintertime, all the waterfowl arrive and you can see them dabbling about. The make a mess and the park keeps most of the trails and lawns clear. A small island where the ducks lay eggs is reachable from a bridge. The 1.5 mile handicapped accessible hiking trail takes you past differing varieties of trees including gum, maple, elm, redwood and many native shrubs including the sweet smelling honeysuckle privet, wild roses and many more. I love the yellow iris when they bloom. It's a great place to walk or sit with a lover and watch the sun go down and pink Mount Rainier.

The best thing is you can watch the boats sail, the skidoos zip around quietly, and throw in a fishing line and try for salmon or other fresh water fish, with plenty of parking. The only thing that it lacks is the walking trail past the Boeing property over to the Cedar River trail to make it perfect.