Location: Northwest Seattle
Address: 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd.
Acreage: 216
It’s easy to get lost hiking through Carkeek Park. But, getting lost is part of the fun, because around every corner is something cool to see.
A butterfly garden, a salmon-breeding stream, a 100-year-old fruit orchard, outdoor sculptures… and best of all, the Puget Sound. Carkeek is a fabulous park to explore on a quiet summer morning. We had most sections of the park to ourselves, except the large meadow, which was jammed with competing day camp programs on the day.
Carkeek has a rich history. The Salish people originally lived in the area that is now the park, and the land has changed hands several times before it was ultimately gifted to the city by Morgan J. Carkeek.
Carkeek has six miles of hiking trails, which make it a great park for dog walkers and trail runners. Kids will also enjoy the easy trek, especially if you make a stop at the creatively designed interactive play space, which includes slides and caves built to mimic the park’s natural features.
People of all ages love to play on Carkeek’s large beach–especially at low tide–which is accessed by an overpass that crosses the railroad tracks. People have been killed on the railroad tracks by this park, so always use the overpass. Plus, if you are lucky enough to stand above it as a train passes by, you’ll get a thrill as you watch the train speed beneath you.
Carkeek is an important park for wildlife. A hiking trail follows the stream to the beach where it opens onto the shore of Puget Sound, creating intertidal creeks where keen-eyed visitors can spot many interesting sea creatures. There are also efforts being made to re-introduce salmon into the stream.
On the day we visited, an outdoor sculpture exhibit was up. It was fun to follow the trails and stumble upon a piece of art that was selected to blend into its surroundings. In one piece, the artist had covered a tall evergreen tree trunk with hundreds of clothespins. From a distance, it looks like the tree’s bark is peeling. Up close, you shake your head in amazement that the artist had the patience to fasten so many clothespins in perfect order.
Two of the sculptures sat in an old fruit orchard planted by one of the previous park’s owners 100 years ago. The variety of fruit trees is remarkable; many are types no longer available elsewhere.
Stop by the park’s environmental learning center on your way out and check out the wealth of programs for kids and adults. The building itself is a model for green building and energy efficiency.
Take your time in this park. Carkeek has many wonderful surprises.
#3 (Visited 8/5/09)