Location: Mercer Island
Address: 5500 Island Crest Way, Mercer Island
Acreage: approx. 40
This forested wonderland on Mercer Island kept the kids that accompanied me busy for hours. Island Crest Park/Deane’s Children Park are a fantastic duo of parks that offer kids opportunities to play and explore beyond the typical neighborhood play structure. But, with top notch amenities like tennis courts, ball fields and hiking trails, these parks are worth a stop for adults, too.
Deane’s Children Park is best known for its unusual dragon slide created by artist Kenton Pies. He actually built the first one in 1965 and then was commissioned by the parks department to make a new one, which opened in 2013. The 45-foot-long structure is a work of art and fun for kids to climb on and in. Pretty impressive for this artist who is now in his 80’s!
Three separate play structures are set apart from each other, inviting young kids to explore a castle while older kids climb a tree house. Even tweens can find something to do with a third structure made up entirely of sections of climbing walls for bouldering.
After resting for a snack or lunch under the covered picnic area, explore the short trails surrounding the play area. This is kid-friendly “hiking” even for toddlers. As you wander, you’ll find a sand digger, swings and other surprises.
To access the other trails, which are fairly short, although wooded and pleasant, look for trail heads near the tennis courts and ball fields. To extend your walk, follow the sidewalk along Island Crest Way a half mile south and you’ll reach Pioneer Park, which has a more extensive trail system.
#414 (Visited 4/21/14)