Entry No. 25 — the Seattle file — filed under: outdoor-weird

Gas Works Park Shadow Sundial

This 19-acre park sits on the bones of a former coal gasification plant, with the rusting towers and cracked pipework of the old works preserved right in the middle of the lawn. A grassy kite-flying mound built from building rubble rises at one edge, and embedded in its summit is a sculpted sundial of concrete, shells, bronze, and glass that uses your own shadow as the gnomon. You physically stand on the marked spot to read the time and season off your silhouette.

The move: Climb the mound at golden hour, take turns being the sundial's hand, then sprawl on the grass with takeout as the downtown skyline lights up across Lake Union.

📍 Before you go Free and open daily; the industrial structures are fenced off but the towers and sundial mound are fully accessible. Best on a sunny day so the shadow-sundial actually works.

• 📍 Wallingford, Seattle
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

last checked: 2026-06-24