Location: Central Seattle/Montlake
Address: 2815 West Park Dr. E.
Acreage: 2.82
Fans of crew racing know West Montlake Park well. Every first Saturday in May they line the edge of this park to watch rowing teams from across the country compete for Montlake Cut bragging rights.
The rest of us probably didn’t even know this park existed. But, you should because West Montlake Park has some of the best views of Portage Bay.
I could not have timed my visit today better. It was one of those gorgeous cold days with clear skies and even some sun. I walked from the Montlake Playfield and arrived about an hour before sunset to find all the buildings across the water at the University of Washington lit up in shades of orange.
You can continue from West Montlake Park along the cut (where people sit with their feet almost dangling in the water to watch the crew races in the spring) to East Montlake Park. I walked to the far east end of the path, snapping picture after picture of the sunset changing the color of the water and surrounding trees. Finally, I ran into a tall staircase, and, since I was pushing the stroller, I had to turn back.
If you are on foot, I recommend completing the loop for beautiful views of both sides of this popular waterway. Especially at sunset.
#65 (Visited 12/1/09)