Gas Works Park, Seattle

Gas Works Park, Seattle

Gas Works Park, or 'Gasworks' as locals call it, is Wallingford's oddly endearing landmark along the north part of Lake Union featuring old machinery and piping relics of the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the United States.

Gas Works Park, or 'Gasworks' as locals call it, is Wallingford's oddly endearing landmark along the north part of Lake Union featuring old machinery and piping relics of the sole remaining coal gasification plant in the United States. The 20 acre park occupies the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, with the Great Mound - a hilly spot for kite-flying that offers views across the lake of sailboats, float planes landing, and downtown Seattle at sunset. It also features an interesting sundial.

The remnant synthetic natural gas generator buildings are fascinating for chemical engineers. The 2 towers closest to the lake are Semet-Solvay-type generators built in 1937-'38, while the other towers are from 1947. While parts comprising the works remains off-limits due to safety concerns, the rest of the park hosts events such as free concerts, kite-flying competitions, and live action roleplaying tournaments.