Kirkland Park Rules

• Waterfront parks open at sunrise and close at 10 p.m.
• All other parks open at sunrise and close at 11 p.m.
• Off-leash dog areas open at sunrise and close at sunset.
• Parking lots are typically locked overnight, usually from sunset to 8 a.m.

• Consuming alcohol in any park is not allowed. Exceptions may be made for permitted special events and facility reservations. 
• Use of marijuana is prohibited.
• Smoking/vaping tobacco is allowed in designated areas, but you are responsible for properly disposing extinguished cigarette butts and cartridges.

• 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.
• Teasing, annoying, or injuring animals (including all wildlife) is prohibited.
• Do not feed waterfowl or other wildlife.

See also Off-Leash Dog Areas

• Read about our swimming beaches.
• Read our Beach Rules(PDF, 359KB)

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.
• 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

• 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.

• 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.
• Golf and archery are not allowed in any park.

• 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. 

• If you see behavior that makes you feel unsafe or if you have concerns about the safety of others or property, call 911 immediately.
• If you observe something that requires attention from park staff, call 425-587-3300 or submit your request via OurKirkland.