Thank you to the many residents who have shared concerns and attended the recent meeting on this issue on Wednesday, May 27th. Many Leschi residents have expressed concern about recurring late-night gatherings in the South Leschi Moorage parking lot during warm-weather weekends. These events involve dozens of vehicles, amplified music, and large crowds. In addition to significant noise impacts on nearby residents, community members have raised concerns about reckless driving,

My husband and I have lived in and around the Leschi neighborhood for 18 years. When our son started kindergarten at Leschi Elementary in 2024, we felt connected to our community in new and exciting ways. And we knew how lucky we were to be a part of Leschi Elementary! Part of the magic that happens at Leschi is thanks to the funds the PTA is able to raise every year. As a mom of a now 2nd grader at Leschi and someone new to the PTA this year, I have seen the variety of ways

For more than 25 years, the Seattle SAKE Paddling Club has been a familiar sight on Lake Washington, with brightly colored dragon boats launching from Leschi’s south marina and paddlers training year-round on the water. Founded as Seattle’s oldest dragon boat club, Seattle SAKE has grown into a thriving nonprofit organization with nearly 200 members and programs that include dragon boating and outrigger canoeing. But ask members what keeps them coming back, and most will tell

March 28th was the first day that light rail transit began public service. It also was a day that cleared up a major life history issue for me. In 1980, a group of activists that opposed the official design of the expansion of the I-90 crossing of Lake Washington submitted over 27,000 petition signatures (we only needed 19,000 to qualify) for Seattle Initiative 21—which provided for a way to build transit and have fewer car lanes across the bridge through a federal highway pr

Recap from the April 1, 2026 Leschi Community Meeting, which focused on traffic safety and status of the effort to implement traffic calming on Lakeside Ave.

A. McLean Emenegger! That is the name of the dynamic director of the unusually titled AMcE Creative Arts gallery located at 612 19th Ave East. As I walked along 19th Street, its small storefront popped out with the ceramics by Sonja Peterson. The director herself was explaining the significance of several offbeat cookie jars by Ryan Kelly. It was clear that this dynamic woman was articulate! She told me she came from Los Angeles and had worked in all aspects of art for over 2

After a year’s delay due to bird nesting season, there’s exciting progress to share at the Leschi Natural Area—and you can see the difference. In March, a professional crew working under the guidance of the Parks Department cleared invasive blackberries from the steep slope. The results are immediate and dramatic: more light, more open space, and expanded views of the lake. What once felt overgrown and closed-in now feels brighter and more welcoming. This work was made possib

Late in the nineteenth century, the desirable part of the neighborhood later to be called Leschi was on the precipice of Mount Baker Ridge, then known as Rainier Heights. That was considered to be the best view property. People of some means built their homes there, especially along 30th Avenue South, which was called Rainier Street until Seattle’s comprehensive street renaming of 1895. Some of those fine, large structures remain to this day, among them the one now known as J

Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson announced that Lake Washington Boulevard will open for Bicycle Weekends every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. “Seattle summers are beautiful, and we should be able to enjoy them,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “We’re opening Lake Washington Boulevard every weekend to make more space for people to bike, walk, roll, and be outside. This is your city, and it should be easy to get out and enjoy our sunny days.” Beginning Memorial Day weeke

We elect our Leschi Community Council executive board members for two-year terms in even-numbered years. To read our by-laws and learn more about positions, visit our website at leschicommunitycouncil.org and select LCC By-laws under the About tab. All active supporting members of LCC are eligible to vote. To qualify as an active supporting member, you must be current on annual dues. At the time of publication, we have three candidates nominated for Board member positions, bu

On February 27, members of the Leschi Community Council met with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) staff, neighboring condominium residents, and local Life Scouts to discuss plans for improving the Dearborn Street End. Omar Akkari, SDOT’s Shoreline Street Ends Program Coordinator, shared a draft concept plan for the site. The proposal focuses on replacing the existing lawn with native plantings and a defined pathway while also refreshing the two existing benches. Th

At first glance, the scene can be surprising: people in swimsuits emerging from a steaming cedar sauna and heading toward the cold waters of Lake Washington. Heat up. Cool down. Repeat. That’s the simple rhythm behind Bywater Sauna’s newest location at Leschi Marina, and for many participants, the appeal becomes obvious after the first session. Barrel Sauna exterior. “I feel more connected to nature, more part of the Seattle ecosystem,” says Natalie G. “It’s magical to be swi