Visit A Local Park This Year
Parks in the Greater Seattle Area
Take a break from everyday stress and visit a new park this year. Just the decision to go there will improve your day. Cities across the country have discovered that adding greenery to our landscape and allowing the public to enjoy it in person helps our community stay healthy. People from all walks of life can mingle and find that they are not all that different after all. Parks were originally created to satisfy the need for a gathering place. Community expansion now usually requires that a certain percentage of the expansion be set aside for greenbelts and parks. Providing attractive plantings and landscaping in parks allows the non-gardener a chance to enjoy the efforts of professional garden designers and allows all levels of gardeners an opportunity to form new ideas for their yard.
Many parks offer interests that are unique to them and develop their own personalities. They require that you show up in person to view their unique features, and then lure you back if they have done a good job in showcasing their individuality.
The new sculpture park in downtown Seattle offers a waterfront walk together with first class art viewing.
Lincoln Park in West Seattle has a one of a kind salt water swimming pool
Green Lake has a three-mile jogging trail, lighted tennis courts, and multiple playing fields
Try renting a bike from Greg’s Green Lake Cycle and take a good look at the entire area.
Redmond’s Marymoor Park has a velodrome for bike enthusiasts, together with an area for model airplane enthusiasts, a dog walk and a large pea patch.
Golden Gardens is usually frequented by amateur drummers where they collectively create impromptu rhythm along the beach, while nearby kite flyers show off their new kites.
Alki has beach fires, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, salt water fishing dock, plus a boat launch where the day’s catch can be applauded as fishermen return. A passenger only water taxi here allows inexpensive passage to Seattle. You can also sit at the fish and chips bar taking in the harbor activity while roller blade enthusiasts show off their skills in front of you.
The Burk Gillman Trail has lengthy stretches along the Sammamish Slough where it showcases various forms of exercise with periodic placement of workout stations. Wild chickens thrive along the trail near Bothell and can surprise you as they fly into nearby trees.
Other stretches of trail between Woodinville and Redmond are in a greenbelt with large open viewing areas of farmland, golf driving ranges, and soccer fields. Occasional games of ultimate frisbee can be seen here and are free to public viewing.
Discovery Park covers 550 acres of mixed habitat which allows local bird enthusiasts to identify numerous bird species. The park has its own lighthouse plus Daybreak Star Cultural Center where the United Indians of all Tribes oversee the exhibits.
Gene Coulon Park near Renton has one of the best boat launches on Lake Washington including a separate launch for just canoes. Kid Valley and Ivar’s Restaurants are popular here and the fishing dock offers rain shelter areas that are much appreciated during the winter.
Visits to the variety of parks have much in common. Smiles seem to be everywhere and people seem more relaxed than in other settings. If you have outdoor hobbies find a park where you can enjoy them with others. Most of all just go to a park near you and enjoy it.
