What's the deal with that patch of grass at Colman Dock in Seattle? It's for the dogs.

Nathan Pilling, Kitsap Sun
·2 min read
Allen Daniel, a Seattle resident and traffic attendant for Washington State Ferries, talks about a grass area that he attends to at Colman Dock in Seattle on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. Daniel created the grass oasis for dogs to relieve themselves on, but the space isn't open just yet.
Allen Daniel, a Seattle resident and traffic attendant for Washington State Ferries, talks about a grass area that he attends to at Colman Dock in Seattle on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. Daniel created the grass oasis for dogs to relieve themselves on, but the space isn't open just yet.

SEATTLE – In a sea of asphalt and concrete, a patch of green grass offers a bit of relief.

Allen Daniel, a Seattle resident and Washington State Ferries employee at Colman Dock keeps watch over two patches of green grass tucked away at the Seattle ferry terminal, both small spaces he established for dog relief at his own expense.

On Wednesday, he stands next to one of the grass patches on the waterfront, the space a labor of love set up specifically for use by the Washington State Patrol dogs that work at the terminal. “This really does look kind of nice out here,” he says with a laugh, admiring his work in a small corner of the ferry dock.

More: Seattle's Colman Dock ferry terminal to open new entry building, plaza after $489M overhaul

Daniel, who has been with WSF for 11 years, works as a traffic attendant and knows the WSP contingent at the terminal, including the array of dogs used to sniff out any threats well. After construction at Colman Dock eliminated an old patch of grass at the terminal popular with dogs, Daniel spotted the need and has made sure to keep a relief area available.

Said Daniel: “I talked to the construction company (working on the rebuild of Colman Dock), I said, ‘Is anything scheduled to go in this corner?’ They went through everything, said, ‘No, nothing as far as I can see.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m going to put a dog park there then.’”

Daniel maintains a close watch on his corner of the dock, keeping the space ship-shape trimmed and looking nice. The more visible the grass patches Daniel oversees sit at the northwest corner of the dock and will soon be equipped with supplies: Poop bags and a trash can be added to the tiny park to keep any messes under control. Non-WSP dogs waiting in line for sailings to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island will be allowed to find some relief there too.

As Daniel stands next to his handiwork on Wednesday, a coworker stops over to crack wise: “It’s the Allen Daniel Memorial Dog Park.”

Cars exit the ferry Tacoma and pass a small patch of grass that was installed and tended to by Allen Daniel, a Seattle resident and traffic attendant for Washington State Ferries, at Colman Dock in Seattle on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.
Cars exit the ferry Tacoma and pass a small patch of grass that was installed and tended to by Allen Daniel, a Seattle resident and traffic attendant for Washington State Ferries, at Colman Dock in Seattle on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: That patch of grass at Colman Dock in Seattle? It's for the dogs