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
Category: swimming
Lake Meridian Park
Location: Kent Address: 14800 S.E. 272nd St. Acreage: 16.02 This awesome park is the perfect one to shout about right as school is getting out and temperatures are heating up. Set on the shore of 150-acre Lake Meridian, this kid-friendly park is a perfect half-day outing for families. Start at the playground that has two… Continue reading Lake Meridian Park
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Location: Renton/Eastside Address: 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N., Renton Acreage: 57 With its lakefront setting that’s hugely popular for boating and swimming, Gene Coulon Park seems like it would be destined only for summer fame. Don’t be caught in that trap: this is one of the best area parks for winter walks. The park’s long,… Continue reading Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Lake Sammamish State Park
Location: Issaquah/Sammamish Address: 2000 N.W. Sammamish Rd., Issaquah Acreage: 512 It doesn’t matter if you live on the Eastside or in Seattle, if you haven’t been to Lake Sammamish State Park you should schedule a trip. This huge recreation area manages to strike a careful balance between people and nature. Ballfields and popular swimming beaches… Continue reading Lake Sammamish State Park
O.O. Denny Park
Location: Kirkland Address: 12032 Holmes Pt. Dr. N.E. Acreage: 46 O. O. Denny Park holds a special place in my life, because it was my childhood park. I spent hours and hours here as a kid climbing trees, swimming and exploring Denny Creek as it trickles out into Lake Washington. In recent years the neighborhood… Continue reading O.O. Denny Park
Groveland Beach
Location: Mercer Island Address: S.E. 58th St. and 80th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island Acreage: Approx. 3 One of only two Mercer Island beaches that are guarded in the summer (the other is Luther Burbank Park), Groveland Beach looks across Lake Washington from the island’s western shore. This park’s location is especially pleasing because the view… Continue reading Groveland Beach
Luther Burbank Park
Location: Mercer Island Address: 2040 84th Ave. S.E., Mercer Island Acreage: 77 The hallmark open space on what was called “East Seattle” 130 years ago, Luther Burbank Park offers dozens of amenities on a huge piece of waterfront with views looking toward Bellevue. Because the park is large and spread out vertically (with 3/4 of… Continue reading Luther Burbank Park
Meydenbauer Beach Park
Location: Bellevue/Eastside Address: 419 98th Ave. N.E., Bellevue Acreage: 2.44 It’s the time of year when I start longing for warm summer evenings spent by the waterfront. So I thought I’d share one of my favorites spots from last summer, where I’m hoping to return many times this year. Located a couple of blocks southwest… Continue reading Meydenbauer Beach Park