OCTOBER 2025
Madison Park Times Serving East-Central Seattle since 1983
www .M adison P ark T imes . com
Featured Stories
Washington Gas Prices Among Highest in Nation By Adam Worcester contributing writer
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n June 22, 2023, Washington state achieved a dubious distinction. That date marked the first time Washington led the nation in having the highest average gas price, according to AAA, briefly edging perennial leaders California and Hawaii. Since then state gas prices have topped the country several more times, including this month. For the week of Sept. 22, 2025, a gallon of unleaded gas in Washington averaged $4.57. The national average was $3.15. Prices were slightly higher in Seattle ($4.76) and King County ($4.83), and lower in surrounding counties ($4.40 to $4.68). And though they are forecast to dip with the onset of winter, gas prices in the Evergreen State will likely remain among the highest in the U. S. for the foreseeable future. Part of the reason is geography. “The West Coast is a unique
market in the United States in terms of supply, demand, and production of gasoline,” noted a recent quarterly report from the state Attorney General’s office. Washington, Oregon and California have a paucity of refineries and pipelines, and “there are few prospects for increasing refinery capacity on the West Coast in the near future,” the report stated. Another contributing factor is increasing demand. During the past decade Washington, Oregon, and California have experienced higher-than-average population growth, spurring the hunger for gasoline. Politics also play a role. The state’s Climate Commitment Act, implemented in 2023, has raised the retail price of gas by an estimated 25 to 50 cents per gallon, depending who you ask. And in July, the state legislature ratcheted up its unleaded gas sales tax by six cents to 55.4
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Still Remembering Page A6 cents a gallon, third highest in the nation. The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon, and the federal diesel tax is 24.4 cents per gallon. The combined fuel tax for diesel is 68.9 cents per gallon and ranks Washington as having one of the
highest diesel fuel excise taxes in the nation. That legislation includes automatic annual increases pegged to inflation, ensuring further price increases in 2026 and beyond.
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Madison Park Fall Festivities Underway!
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PARTY FOR THE PARK aturday, September 13th, many in the neighborhood dressed up, stepped out and supported Madison Park in its second annual Party for the Park at the Broadmoor Golf Club. An array of delicious food and drink, silent and live auction items, ring toss, raffle tickets for Canlis Restaurant and a DJ guaranteed a festive evening. The night celebrated the many events and projects that have been such a success during the last year- from the Easter Egg Hunt, Little Beats Concerts, the Garden Tour, Children’s Parade and Picnic and Music in the Park- to name a few- to the growing engagement with the community through our newsletters, volunteer involvement and meetings. Now over 1900 people subscribe to the newsletter and over 900 people have contributed to Friends of Madison Park since its inception in 2023. The generosity of our community and sponsors has ensured that we will continue to grow our events, add to our Beautify Madison Park Project and be able to move to
the next phase of planning for the Renovation of the Bathhouse and Shoreline.
fall and winter months. Make a morning of it: Grab breakfast, coffee or lunch at one of Madison Park’s fantastic bakeries or eateries before or after the show! When: First Saturday of each month, October to March, from 11 AM to 12 PM (doors open at 10:30 AM) Where: Pioneer Hall in Madison Park at 1642 43rd Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 Cost: $5 per person at the door or a Season Pass is $25 per person
Luxury Housing Page B1 October 4 - Recess Monkey; November 1 Eli Rosenblatt; December 6- Alleyoop January 3 - Brian Vogan & His Good Buddies; February 7 - Highlight Quartet March 7 - Harmonica Pocket Please note that this is not a drop-off event. We require that all children have their own adult supervision. Reserve your spots (and help us plan for future events) by pre-
P E N T H O U S E LO F T L I V I N G FARMER’S MARKET The 2025 season of the Farmer’s Market had its final day on Saturday, September 27th. This summer, the Farmer’s Market has become the gathering hub for our neighborhood, bringing joy, fresh food and connections among our neighbors. The Seattle Farmer’s Market Survey (done in August) will be available on our website soon and Friends of Madison Park will continue to partner with our local shops to benefit all and seek feedback from the community to make the return of the market even better in 2026. LITTLE BEATS CONCERT SERIES Back by popular demand, Little Beats provides a fun, interactive way to spend time with your kids, friends and neighbors in the
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