Location: Bellevue
Address: 1625 118th Ave. S.E., Bellevue
Acreage: 320
Most people zip through the I-90/405 interchange in their cars without realizing that beneath the concrete jungle is a peaceful green jungle teeming with plants and wildlife. Mercer Slough Nature Park spans more than 300 acres of parkland in central Bellevue and is a dream for urban hikers.
Multiple points of entry make it easy to drop in for a quick walk on a lunch break. Or check out the trail map and tackle all of the more than seven miles of trails that crisscross the wetlands.
As you explore, you’ll discover different terrain in different sections of the park. Wooded paths curve down the hillside along the eastern side of the park. This is also where you’ll find the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center, which was built to resemble a treehouse and describes the park’s plants and animals. Cross through the center of the park and stroll the wetland boardwalk where you can spot many varieties of birds. A large turtle stubbornly blocked my path as I walked here on a sunny June afternoon.
At the southern end of Mercer Slough is a section of paved trails that go underneath the freeway. You’ll cross bridges and find lookouts with views of Lake Washington. This is a popular thoroughfare for bikers who whiz by in neon.
The park also has ranger programs and guided canoe tours–something I definitely will be back to try.
#430 (Visited 6/19/14)