This friendly North Seattle community sits on a 350-foot ridge that rises between the neighborhoods of Ballard and Greenlake.  Many Phinney Ridge residents enjoy spectacular views of Green Lake, Puget Sound, and two mountain ranges—the rugged Cascades and the snow-capped Olympics. 

 

What makes this neighborhood unique is its strong spirit of community. For example, Phinney residents wanted to eliminate an unsightly traffic island and create a welcoming gateway to the neighborhood.  So they built the Heart of Phinney Park, a small but lushly-planted green oasis.

 

But it doesn’t stop there.  A nearby elementary school has been restored and turned into a lively community center that serves as headquarters for the Phinney Neighborhood Association.  Through the association, residents host a spring home tour, an auction, a huge garage sale, wine-and beer-tasting parties and potluck dinners.  The local restaurants and businesses along Phinney Ave are very supportive of the community as well.

 

Anchoring the southeast end of the neighborhood is the Woodland Park Zoo, ranked among the nation’s best.  Visitors can see bears, wolves, and mountain goats from Alaska, colorful macaws and parrots from the tropical rain forest, giraffes, zebras and lions from the African Savannah, several elephants in a replica of a Thai logging camp, a Komodo dragon from Sumatra, and the fascinating lowland gorillas who live in a lush enclosure, the largest of its kind in the world.  Visitors can also enjoy the petting zoo and children’s play area. 

 

Because of its proximity to the zoo, Green Lake, and downtown Seattle, its sweeping views, and its strong community spirit, Phinney Ridge is one of Seattle favorite neighborhoods.