Location: Bellevue Address: 4400 Lake Washington Blvd. S.E., Bellevue Acreage: 29 A summer birthday party brought me to Newcastle Beach Park, the biggest beachfront park in Bellevue. Park in the large parking lot and take the winding path around the huge lawn to the beach. Along the way you’ll pass a great playground, which includes… Continue reading Newcastle Beach Park
Category: eastside
Summit Park
Location: Issaquah Address: 30th Ave. N.E. and N.E. Harrison St., Issaquah Acreage: approx. 1.25 Summit Park is tucked deep into the Issaquah Highlands community high up on the plateau. So why would I recommend the winding trip up there? The answer is two of the steepest, most exciting slides I’ve seen on a playground. You… Continue reading Summit Park
Enatai Beach Park
Location: Bellevue Address: 3519 108th Ave. S.E., Bellevue Acreage: 2.98 With a cool location almost directly under the I-90 Bridge, Enatai Beach Park is another of Bellevue’s great waterfront parks. In addition to being a great swimming spot, it is the perfect place to drop in a kayak for a sunset outing. The park is… Continue reading Enatai Beach Park
Chism Beach Park
Location: Bellevue Address: 9600 S.E. 11th St., Bellevue Acreage: 18 I’m on the hunt for calmer spots to go swimming in the Seattle area away from the crowds at the popular beaches. With a sandy waterfront on Lake Washington, Chism Beach Park in Bellevue is a great spot for a dip. Wind through the curvy… Continue reading Chism Beach Park
Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Location: Bellevue Address: 12001 Main Street, Bellevue Acreage: 53 Enjoy a peaceful stroll through 53 acres of incredibly varied gardens at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens and take your time examining the diverse plant groupings. Or, take my lead and do it the less peaceful way and bring along three kids under the age of 5.… Continue reading Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Island Crest Park & Deane’s Children Park
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… Continue reading Island Crest Park & Deane’s Children Park