Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park — Attraction in Renton

I usually meet at a coffee shop or a bar for first dates. Some place quiet where we can talk and get to know each other. That has not been working out great for me these days, so when the latest woman the internet brought my way suggested that we meet at Gene Coulon Park to walk along the lake, I thought, “What a wonderful change of pace!” We agreed to meet at 9 am. It was a warm morning, but it was fall and anything can happen in the fall. I wore a long sleeve shirt, but didn’t bother with a coat. As I drove over the I-90 bridge, the sunny day plunged into gray brought on by thick fog. By the time I got to the park, I wondered if I was going to regret not wearing a coat. My date was walking around by Ivars when I got there. She was pretty - long hair and a lovely face. She called my name and revealed her best feature - a beautiful voice. We exchanged all the usual pleasantries - I had no trouble finding the place, she went there often. I was well, she was too. I let it go on too long because I was enjoying listening to her. Eventually, we remembered what we were there for and set off on one of the paths. The paths fork and loop around. I let my date pick the directions since she had been there before. We noticed that the trees lining the entry road were gorgeous in their fall colors. Quite a few people had expensive cameras that they used to try and capture the interplay of light coming through the fog to illuminate the trees. I hope they got some good shots. They will have to spend a bit of time with Photoshop to erase the power lines that interrupt the natural beauty. The paths include a couple of walkways that go out over the lake. We couldn’t see any views through the fog, but I am assured that it is lovely. One downside is that the park is small and it does not take long to walk the entire extent of the paths. We were having a nice chat, so we did a second lap. We didn’t walk fast, just enough to keep me from feeling cold in the fog. The park was not crowded, we didn’t have the paths to ourselves, but close enough. I assume that in the summer there are more children running around and playing on the beach. Dogs are not allowed, so that probably keeps some people away. Another Summer feature is the boat launch. It looks well organized and there seems to be plenty of parking for vehicles and trailers. The date ended too soon. If the walk had been a little longer, we might have stretched it into lunch at Ivars or Kidd Valley. Instead, it was short and sweet and I was left with plenty of day to explore...

The park is still under construction but some areas are done and already such an improvement. The signs that say no dogs are a little unclear. Then I realized that these signs are referring to just the walk path itself so if you are allowed dogs and bicycles in the other areas how are you to get them there if you can't use them on the walk path? I find it very strange that only feet and I'm assuming pushed wheeled vessels such as strollers and wheelchairs are okay but the signs make it seem like only feet are allowed. My dog is in a stroller because she is so old she has a hard time walking. I passed by these no dog signs all the time and he's no bicycle signs all the time sometimes I push her in the stroller sometimes I walk her on my scooter while she's in her box.

I don't feel this should be against the rules and for the most part people are okay with it because she is so obviously old. But now and then I get some old busybody who wants to pretend they were sent here to police us all.

Sometimes it's best for us to worry about ourselves and leave others alone as long as no harm is being done or no risk as being made to...

Nice place for a walk or to stop and grab a burger or fish and chips, along the waterfront. The children’s play area is beautifully done. It also includes a few step machines for the adults, and nearby changing rooms that are halfway between the playground and the designated swimming area. I am not sure about swimming here, because of the duck population, but many do. I prefer other areas of the lake, farther from Boeing and just generally cleaner looking water.

Tennis courts are nice and have a view of the water. Bird Island is also a tiny island near the swimming area. It’s a super quick loop with a few plaques that explain the history.

The area is nice, close to shopping of Renton Landing and Gene Coulon does offer a lot that most of our Lake Washington spots don’t, including ample parking. It is one of the more accessible parks.

*Some of my photos were taken on 9/12/20, during the intense smoke and fire season. It’s usually less...