Location: Vashon Island Address: 20900 111th Ave. SW, Vashon Island Acreage: 155 Vashon has dozens of fantastic parks, some on the waterfront like this one and this one, and others tucked away in the forest like Judd Creek Preserve. You’ll find a fantastic short loop trail that winds through the mostly deciduous trees, crossing the… Continue reading Judd Creek Preserve
Category: birding
Brightwater Park
Location: Woodinville Address: 22505 WA-9, Woodinville Acreage: 70 As King County’s population has grown enormously over the past two decades, so has its volume of… well, poop. In 2011, the county opened a new third sewage treatment plant, and it’s spectacular. From high-tech odor control to record-breaking membrane bioreactors, the facility itself is as modern… Continue reading Brightwater Park
Cottage Lake Park
Location: Woodinville Address: N.E. Woodinville-Duvall Rd. and 188th N.E. Acreage: 22 This perfect little neighborhood park was buzzing on the sunny winter day I visited with young and old enjoying picnics and play time outside. The 22-acre park was a logging site before it became a resort called Norm’s, which was run by Norm and… Continue reading Cottage Lake Park
Paradise Valley Conservation Area
Location: WoodinvilleAddress: 23210 Paradise Lake Rd, WoodinvilleAcreage: 793 This enormous Eastside park was a completely new find for me recently, a tip from a hiking-loving friend. If you are out of ideas for winter hikes in the lowlands, Paradise Valley is a worthy outing. Mostly flat trails–some a bit muddy–are easy on the knees and… Continue reading Paradise Valley Conservation Area
White Center Heights Park
Location: White Center/West Seattle Address: S.W. 102nd St. and 7th Ave S.W., Seattle Acreage: 5.57 If you are thinking that you’ve seen the typical neighborhood park with a couple of picnic tables and maybe a path, White Center Heights Park bursts the boring bubble. Trees line the two sides of the park that face adjacent… Continue reading White Center Heights Park