Kennydale Beach sits along Lake Washington's southeastern shore in Renton, occupying 1.8 sunny acres at 3601 Lake Washington Blvd N. The name derives from real estate developer Clarence Dayton Hillman, who established the community in 1898 as the "Lake Washington Garden of Eden" and named it after his wife Bessie's maiden name, Kenny. After decades as an independent community in unincorporated King County, Kennydale officially became part of Renton in early 1970. A local landowner sold the waterfront property to King County at cost—just for the beach parcels—establishing the public beach a few years after World War II.
Swimming attracts families to the designated swimming area defined by a log boom that provides safe boundaries for swimmers enjoying Lake Washington's waters during summer months, though lifeguards are no longer on duty so visitors should be aware of their swimming limits. The large sandy beach and pier accommodate kayakers and canoers launching from the designated area south of the pier for exploration of Lake Washington's shoreline with views toward Seattle's skyline. Fishing from the dock and shoreline yields bass, perch, and other Lake Washington species, with anglers often arriving early morning for prime conditions. The playground features equipment for children aged 2-12 including slides, climbers, and rope bridges, while covered picnic tables and a large dock with ladder provide amenities for family gatherings and direct water access. Beachcombing along the sandy shoreline reveals smooth rocks, driftwood, and other finds washed up by the lake. Parking can be challenging with limited spots near the park, and dogs are not allowed at Kennydale Beach Park.
Renton's waterfront dining offers diverse options near Kennydale Beach. Water's Table at Hyatt Regency Lake Washington serves upscale Northwest cuisine including crab scramble, ricotta pancakes, and fried chicken with French toast from sustainably sourced local ingredients, earning Seattle Magazine's 2024 Best Brunch and Best Cocktail Bar awards. Dock and Drink operates as a seasonal boardwalk pop-up featuring smash burgers, classic hotdogs, fresh salads, handcrafted docktails, local beer and wine, and zero-proof mocktails with Lake Washington views. Red House in Old Renton creates upscale comfort food and craft cocktails from rotating seasonal menus highlighting local ingredients with global influences. Dino's Pub in Kennydale serves elevated bar food including crispy corn dog nuggets and lunch specials in a neighborhood sports bar atmosphere.
