Volunteer Park

Location: Central Seattle/Capitol Hill Address: 1247 15th Ave. E. Acreage: 48.3 Looking for someplace to take out-of-towners that’s free and has views almost as good as the Space Needle? Volunteer Park’s water tower on Capitol Hill provides great vistas of Seattle and the only cost is the workout it takes to get up the 106… Continue reading Volunteer Park

Washington Park Arboretum

Location: Central Seattle Address: 2300 Arboretum Drive E. Acreage: 193.9 It’s picture day at the Arboretum. And there are two breeds of photographers to observe. In one camp are the serious, slightly cranky, amateur nature photographers. This is prime season for this group as they strategically set up their shots on fancy tripods waiting for… Continue reading Washington Park Arboretum

North Beach Park

Location: Northwest Seattle Address: 24th Ave. N.W. and N.W. 90th St. Acreage: 9.6 Some parks in this city are designed for recreation and others are set aside to preserve green space. An example of the latter, North Beach Park is one of 30 green spaces the city designated in 1993 with a new preservation policy.… Continue reading North Beach Park

Ravenna Park & Ravenna Park Triangle

Location: North Seattle/Ravenna Address: 5520 Ravenna Ave. N.E. Acreage: 49.9 I can’t believe I had never been to Ravenna Park before. Fifty acres of quiet, wooded trails carved out of a ravine that was formed by run-off from the Vashon Glacial Ice Sheet. The park seems like such a gem it’s hard to believe that… Continue reading Ravenna Park & Ravenna Park Triangle

Leschi Park

Location: Central Seattle/Leschi Address: 201 Lakeside Ave. S. Acreage: 18.5 It’s one of the last warm days of summer, and I’ve caught some kids getting a cheap thrill in Leschi. One after another, with giggles and shouts, they’re jumping from the pier next to the harbor into Lake Washington. Over and over, the scene repeats.… Continue reading Leschi Park

Madrona Park

Location: Central Seattle/Madrona Address: 853 Lake Washington Blvd. Acreage: 31.2 Alright, who are these people who get to live across the street from Madrona Park? Views of Mt. Rainier and Bellevue, Lake Washington at their doorstep, hiking trails just steps away… these guys have it good. But, really we all have it good, because Madrona… Continue reading Madrona Park

Carkeek Park

Location: Northwest Seattle Address: 950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd. Acreage: 216 It’s easy to get lost hiking through Carkeek Park. But, getting lost is part of the fun, because around every corner is something cool to see. A butterfly garden, a salmon-breeding stream, a 100-year-old fruit orchard, outdoor sculptures… and best of all, the Puget… Continue reading Carkeek Park