Amy Jones, Ensemble Contributor
The Trust for Public Land recently named Seattle’s public park system the eighth best in the nation. Study after study confirms the mental and physical benefits of access to nature, and 99% of Seattleites have it – within a 10-minute walk of our home. And no one neighborhood corners the market on great outdoor spaces. If you haven’t taken advantage of this unique PNW perk in a while, here are 22 reasons to remind you to lace up and head out.
The Classics
Green Lake Park
Discovery Park (the city’s largest urban park)
Schmitz Preserve Park, Seattle (watch the city disappear)
Gas Works Park
For Gardens and Views
Lincoln Park
Lake Union Park
Magnuson Park (don’t miss the Art Deco architecture)
Volunteer Park (visit in July for a riot of blooming dahlias)
Washington Park and Arboretum
Mercer Slough Nature Park
Kerry Park
For Forests, Fountains, Waterfalls, and Mountains
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Seward Park
Harborside Fountain Park in Bremerton
For Sculptures
San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
Myrtle Edwards Park
For Kids
Alki Playground
Roxhill Park (“Castle Park” in kidspeak)
Othello Playground
Salmon Bay Park
Meridian Playground (don’t miss the storybook-inspired art)
Maple Leaf Reservoir Park
Photo Credit: Tim Scholze, Shale Photography
