Overview

Seward is beautifully situated with nearby State and National Parks. Close by, there are fjords, mountains, rivers, and rain forests. Lately, a new focus has been placed on providing other recreation opportunities such as bike and walking paths, ball fields, and pocket parks.

Parks

Two Lakes Park - A salmon spawning creek zig zags through the park. The picnic area and NEW GAZEBO are great for smaller gatherings. Watch for moose and bear. No overnight camping. All campfires must be contained within the provided fire rings. See also Two Lakes Trail.

Adams Street Recreation Area - This recreation areas includes Adams Street Pavilion, restrooms and drinking fountain, the sand volleyball court, horse shoes and the skate park. Future plans include an adult workout station and possibly a new playground.

Hoben Park- Stop by this quiet park for a picnic where Fourth Avenue meets Railway Avenue. Preview the Alaska Sea Life Center and old Railway Depot.

Obihiro Park- Obihiro Park is a product of a land and water Conservation Fund grant. The Japanese gazebo is a gift we received from Obihiro, Japan in 1993 when Seward and Obihiro celebrated 25 years of our Sister City relationship. The community appreciates this generous gift.

Benny Benson Memorial Park - On 3rd Avenue.  Feed the ducks, stroll down the boardwalk, enjoy the lagoon, Watch for eagles, otters, and otter wildlife.  have lunch in the new covered pavillion, at the south end of the boardwalk.  The pavillion and the adjoining park area were built by Seward Rotary Club volunteers.
 
 

v3rd Ave. between Washington and Adams St.
        Fully enclosed, with swings, wooden play structure, and lots of space to run.
vBallaine Blvd., near the little league ball field
        This newly remodeled playground is surrounded with a fence so no little ones wander off. It is also very close to
        the campground area.
vForest Acres Park, located across from the Army Rec Camp
        Tennis courts, basketball courts,  off road bike path!!
vDora Way
        our all new playground, scheduled to be constructed in 2000!
 
 

Sports Fields

SPRD maintains and schedules the Little League and Boulder Stadium baseball and softball fields at D Street and the High School softball field off Coolidge Drive. The city is also funding the construction of a new softball field with the Seward Little League Association near High School Field.

Contact the schools for access to play fields at the Seward Elementary School or the soccer / football field at the High School track. Seward Jr. / SR High School is planning construction of two additional practice fields this summer.

The Skate Park was constructed the summer of 1996 and is located in the Adams Street Recreation Area. Posted rules require safety gear. Enforcement and management is through the Seward Skate Club.

A rustic Moto Cross Bike Racing Track is located in Forest Acres Park, along Sea Lion Avenue.  Please  wear an approved helmet when using the track. For information, SPRD Sports Division at 224-4054.

Outdoor Basketball Courts are highly used in Seward! It's easy to find a pick-up game.  Both school sites have outdoor hoops most of the year. SPRD hopes to has two half courts in Forest Acres at the tennis court off Diamond Boulevard. We also have a small full court at the Teen & Youth Center at 3rd Avenue and Jefferson.

Tennis courts are popular at the High School complex, if you know where to look: Drive behind the Junior High gym and park. Climb a hill and there they are! There is also one court in Forest Acres Park.

Last year the sand volleyball court at Adams Street Recreation Area gained popularity. Pick up games pop up on sunny days, and SPRD will host a league this summer.

Informative interpretive signs display the Seward Meridian point and other natural features. Look for these along the bike path in Waterfront Park.

Pavilions

Pavilions are open to the public, unless reserved by another group.  Reservations must be booked in advance.
Pavilion reservations are now available in blocks of four hours or less. The fee is $25 per four-hourblock.
Times available are 7 am through 11 pm.

Electricity is available if specified on your reservation form.  Alcohol is prohibited, except by a special permit from the police department, in conjunction with a paid pavilion reservation.

 A form must be filed to reserve a pavilion for your group, and the $25 fee must be paid at time reservation is made. Call 224-4050 or stop by the City Hall Utility Counter at 5th Avenue and Adams Street. Electricity is available only for reserved group functions.  Click on the link below to go to reservation forms that you can download and/or print from home.  There is no online registration and the forms will have to be mailed or faxed.

Adams Street Pavilion is at the end of Adams Street.

Wellington Pavilion is at the end of D Street along Ballaine Boulevard. It is named after Jim Wellington, considered one of the "Fathers" of the world-famous Seward Silver Salmon Derby held each August.

The Two Lakes Trail is a quiet nature loop, just a bit longer than one mile. Parking is available behind the AVTEC Administration building on Second Avenue, at the end of C Street.

The National Historic Iditarod Trail (a paved bike path) begins in Seward. A monument and interpretive sign is located at Mile 0 in Hoben Park. The trail fronts Waterfront Park all the way to Van Buren. From there it crosses 4th and 3rd Avenues to the lagoon Boardwalk.

The Boardwalk was built in 1986 with volunteers from crew of the USS Alaska and their support ships and community members. the Seward Rotary Club later added the south leg and continues to construct a gazebo and park at the lagoon.

The Iditarod Trail picks up again as you cross Dairy Hill Lane, then terminates at Seward Jr. / Sr. High School. The city of Seward will complete an extension to the Seward Elementary School and Forest Acres Park the summer of 1997. The Iditarod Trailblazers continue fund-raising projects to develop the trail to the Seward Highway and one day to residents outside the city.