10 Parks For Kids In Seattle and Eastside we love
Living in Seattle means being surrounded with abundance of greenery. No wonder Washington is called the Evergreen State. Parks, lakes, trails, mountains and Puget sound can offer something for everyone. This is the list of my family's favorite parks, where my kids enjoy the most. Maybe you will find a jewel for yourself among them.
1. Green Lake Park - Seattle
Green Lake Park is one of the most beloved parks in Seattle, and by my family, too. We used to go every weekend there. It is full of young people, but anyone can find its own preferred activity there. You can walk, run bike or skate 2.8-mile trail around the lake, or play basketball, soccer and tennis on the courts/fields there. The path attracts people seeking exercise and relaxation and can be crowded. The park is a popular spot for qigong classes, the Derek Baker Memorial Boccie Ball Club, and lawn bowls, part of the Woodland Park Lawn Bowling Club, and a monthly midnight bicycle race. Fishing is also something you can do, as well as swimming and boating in the summer. With a plenty of grassy fields, picnics with lots of people grilling and having fun is usual activity. My kids love the nicely sized playground where they can dig in the sand, swing, slide, spin on the merry-go-round or climb. With plenty of places to eat and drink around the lake, my kids go wild when we mention this park.
Find Green Lake Park map here or go to 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA 98115
2. O.O. Denny Park - Kirkland
Once we discovered this all-in-one park, it quickly became our favorite. We go there for swimming at summer, we go there for playground and celebrating our birthdays there, but we also head to mini hike through the wood, where the oldest tree is King County, Sylvia, is located.
3. Saint Edwards State Park - Kenmore
This is my favorite eastside park, set on the east shore of the Lake Washington. A big toy playground is popular with kids. The playground was built by the community for the community and completely funded by donations from the community. Picnicking, hiking, soccer, mountain biking, fishing, bicycling, swimming, bird watching, softball and horse trails are offered in the Holmes Point area. An indoor swimming pool and gymnasium are available. The Carole Ann Wald Memorial Pool, named in 1969 for the sister of a seminary student by their father (a major donor), now provided year-round, indoor public swimming programs for all ages and abilities.
My kids love the playground. The play structure has so many nooks to explore. There are different size monkey bars, and all high-level slides, forts and swings.
You can even stroll down to the Lake Washington to enjoy the beautiful scenery and if you're lucky, even spotting a bald eagle or otter.
Just remember that this park requires Discovery Pass for parking or $10 parking fee. Pets must be on leash.
4. Grass Lawn Park - Redmond
This park has a bit of everything. With 28.5 acre and courts for tennis (lighted), basketball and fitness, fields for soccer, softball and one multi-use turf field, picnic and sheltered areas, enhanced children’s play equipment throughout the park, sensor-activated kids splash pad, open space and walking areas, I'm sure everyone can find the joy here. The park has strict rules on the turf about eating sunflower seeds or chewing gum to keep the fields and dugouts clean. You can enjoy refreshing fountain splash in the summer if you're kiddo on the lower play area, next to the basketball court.
Grass Lawn Park is located at 7031 148 Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.
5. Bellevue Downtown Park - Bellevue
Bellevue Downtown Park is a 21-acre oasis of green in the heart of Bellevue. A one-half mile promenade, bordered by a double row of shade trees, and a stepped canal, brings one to the 240-foot-wide waterfall that cascades into a reflecting pond. A ten-acre lawn area invites one to pause for a picnic with Bellevue’s skyline and Mount Rainier in the background. The park’s delightful play area and formal gardens add to family enjoyment and serve as a backdrop for community events.
Thanks to the Bellevue Rotary Club the park got its new look in 2016/2017, and now include an innovative play space where kids of all ages and abilities can play and explore at their own pace. Dedicated to fun, imagination and learning, it is a universally accessible play experience - a truly Inspiration(al) Playground. The new playground offers interactive features that engage the senses (including tactile sculptures that encourage touching or climbing), create inclusiveness and accommodate children of all abilities and their caregivers. Interactive music plaza allows users to create and respond to sound. A central "Whimsy Plaza" feature a tree sculpture that evokes Dr. Seuss.
Bellevue Downtown Park has more than 100 memorial benches. Of other amenities you will find here restrooms, playground (5-12 yrs.), tot lot (2-5 yrs.), picnic tables, pathways, formal garden, public art, water feature (waterfall), 2 parking lots and free wi-fi.
6. Idylwood Park - Redmond
This 17-acre park is located on the northwestern shores of Lake Sammamish and features a swimming beach, including a bathhouse and restrooms. Park goers can launch car-top boats from the park’s small ramp, spread out and play a game in the large open space, fish from a pier or the beach, or explore Idylwood’s playground area. Picnic shelters and picnic tables are also available. Idylwood Park is the only free recreational access on Lake Sammamish. As a result, the park is enjoyed by more than 42,000 visitors during the summer.
7. 132nd Square Park - Kirkland
My kids almost grew up here. Playground, walking paths, reflexology path, baseball and soccer fields, hills for winter sledding and sliding - what else you can ask for? Additionally, you'll find picnic shelter here, which is amazing for throwing a birthday party for your youngster.
132nd Square Park is currently being renovated. It is expected to reopen later in Spring 2023.
132nd Square Park will gain improvements throughout the park:
the parking area is being expanded and includes a drop-off zone to help people access the park and multi-use field.
new, larger restroom building with exterior drinking fountains and bottle filling station.
new playground features zip-line, swings, balance and agility courses, wheelchair carousel, and slide located on the play/ sledding hill.
new concrete walking paths, two new picnic shelters with concrete plaza, and the existing acupressure pathway will be relocated within the park.
8. Juanita Beach Park - Kirkland
Juanita Beach Park features a playground, bathhouse with restrooms, sand volleyball courts, ballfields, tennis courts, walking path, picnic shelters and a seasonal swimming area. This park includes areas on both sides of Juanita Drive and includes 1,000 feet of Lake Washington shoreline.
Juanita Beach Park has a rich history as a popular summer destination since the early 1900s. There are many interpretive signs telling the history of the area throughout the park. The park bathhouse was rebuilt, and a new accessible playground installed in 2020.
During the summer months, the park is the location of the Juanita Friday Market, a weekly farmers market.
Juanita Beach Park has volleyball and tennis courts available for drop-in use only. The volleyball courts are on the beach side of Juanita Drive and the tennis courts are across the street.
Juanita Beach Park has two youth baseball/softball fields available for drop in use or rental.
9. McAuliffe Park - Kirkland
McAuliffe Park features grassy lawns, ornamental plants, a playground, and a community garden.
McAuliffe Park is located on a historic farm site. You can see mature orchard trees, historic buildings, and farm equipment, some dating back to the late 1800s. As you walk through the park, imagine what life was like here 100 years ago.
There is one specific, very kid friendly tree here, that my kids love. They can climb and rest there, and pretend they are the squirrels :)
10. Cascade View Neighborhood Park - Redmond
Once upon a time, Cascade Park was our neighborhood park. My first kid grew up here. This park, although nothing special in features, is very dear to us, it holds lots of memories. We used to meet up with friends a lot here, having picnics, meet ups and even birthday parties.
There's basketball court here, playground and big chunk of grassy field where kids can run wild or play soccer (or who knows what else).
There are many, many beautiful and amazing parks and nature trails here, that one article cannot cover them all. This was just a short list of my family's favorite and I hope you found at least one gem for you.
Thanks for reading!
Best,
Marina X
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