The Community Gardens in Marymoor Park is similar to P-Patch, which is a parcel of property used…read morefor gardening, a term commonly used in the greater Seattle area. Gardening spaces are individually managed subplots for the farm/yard enthusiasts. All of them are in spectacular condition. Folks farming their little plot really want to farm it, and the results are amazing. From gorgeous flowers, to beautiful tomatoes, healthy corn stalks, 10+ feet tall sunflowers, watermelons, heirloom tomatoes and much more, these plots are a feast to the eye. It's like a botanical garden of the densely productive variety. According to the marymoorgarden.org/faq, gardeners pay a yearly plot rental fee, fulfill a community service commitment (for foodbank donations), and they cultivate their plot from May through Oct. Gardeners are required to have an obvious presence at each of their plots to weed and to prevent weeds from invading adjacent plots, which explains why they all look so incredibly healthy. Any unmaintained plots are returned to the pool. Water supply, mulch (in the form of wood chips and leaves), and a green waste area are all on site. We didn't specifically come to Marymoor Park to see the Community Gardens, but I certainly am glad we decided to stop and wander. The dahlias are in season and stunningly beautiful. The sunflowers are also in season and majestically tall. The vastness of produce varieties is envy-inducing, and we now have new ideas on trellis and support styles for climbing plants. At the very least, we learned what plants can be successfully grown here. If you're in the area, do drop in for a look. It's absolutely worth it. But if you're there to walk your dog, dogs are not allowed in the gardening area.

Bellevue Botanical Garden is a beautiful place. And the fact that it is always free too! It's open…read moreevery day even holidays! To be a small botanical garden, there's a nice walking path and many, many beautiful flowers and plants to see. There are often local community events hosted here. Activities for the young to adults. They have classes that you can find and sign up for on their website as well. And the classes are affordable!! You may even see people taking wedding photos here because again it's beautiful. The park is ADA friendly. The path is dirt and pebbled but can be navigated with a wheelchair. There are bathrooms on site and a small shop. I have never purchased bulbs or plants from here but I know there is a big community around that. The coffee shop in the garden can get busy. But a benefit is we were able to charge my husband's wheelchair there on a visit. While the park is open every day, the coffee shop is not. Definitely this should be a spot for all locals. And not just a one time visit either.

This was a nice little find. We got here late as my sister had to take her son to this de's appt…read more By the time we got to Seattle, it was already 1 pm. Once the entire family met up, we climbed back into the car and headed to Bellevue. Not sur if it was due to the time. But we were surprised there was a lot of parking available. We spent a good 2-hrs here which included getting lost and finding other street entries into the botanical park from a school and from other busy street corner at the bottom of the park. Nice and shaded, quiet little creeks, plenty of seating for those that were inspired to journal, plenty of elderly people using this time to exercise and stretch. We enjoyed the different areas like the swinging bridge, the Japanese garden and even the little cafe they have there. Fairly priced items and plenty of tables to enjoy a refreshment and snack. By the time we were done, the gift shop was already closed. So I took the opportunity to drop a donation into the box instead.

This secret garden called the Pike Place Urban Garden is the best treasure to be found at the…read moremarket. Find yourself lunch, a snack, or a coffee and take a seat with your book, take a date here, ask someone to marry you, or do something special. It's just top notch. Cute as a button, this is a place where special things and magic happens. Oh. And the view!

A lot of people don't know about this place! It's really quiet and good hideout place! Would…read moredefinitely recommend to come if you want to chill a bit. It's a fun stop for kids- as chalk is provided to draw on the resident pig statue or a few designated walls. The market garden has lots of fun and whimsical features, including water features, chalk-walls open to the public, art, mosaics, creative seating, and more. A particularly impressive feat since this lush garden is comprised entirely of containers and raised beds. Vegetables are inter-planted with flowers and supply the food bank and Pike Place's Senior Center. On a clear day, the views from this spot are unbeatable. The haze on this day hid Mt Rainier, but often visible is Mt Rainier to the left and the Olympic mountains to the Right, with views of miles of Puget Sound and beaches, the Seattle Waterfront, passing Washington State Ferries, cruise ships, and the ferris wheel always in view. In the middle of all the hustle and bustle and throwing of fish, there is a peaceful garden with views of Puget Sound and seating to relax from the crowds. Make sure to explore the different art and produce that is scattered around the rooftop garden and don't forget to write your name and where you are visiting from on one of the chalkboard surfaces! A lovely little gem tucked behind Pike Place Fish Market.

This was a fabulous venue for my birthday! I had so much fun using this space to host my friends…read morefor my birthday party and was able to use this space well to have party games, watch a movie on the projector, and host a potluck! The communication between the coordinators was smooth and timely! I was able to nail down the details quickly because of their fast and professional communication with me! I was also very thankful someone was on site to help me set up the projector especially since I was not able to check out this space ahead of time! Highly recommend to all who are throwing a party! What a great space to be in :)

What a convenient location and cool space for everything!…read more A large building, taking up nearly a block in the University District's north end offering classes, concerts, office spaces and more. Located immediately adjacent to the Saturday farmer's market, it can offer a space for warmth on winter days, and presumably a cool place in the shade on hot, summer afternoons. Staff are friendly and hospitable - when located.

With 60 plots you would think that there would be Plenty of…read morepeople to maintain this ppatch, especially as each is required to work the public areas 8 hours a year. Probably 5 Gardeners do this minimal commitment. Half don't even take care of their own plots. They are supposed to maintain them or give them back to the ones on the waiting lists. But people like to have a Plot without using them. Seems to be filled with entitled Gardeners who are too lazy to do anything. Some of the plots are fantastic. But unless the city is willing to kick out gardeners with plotS filled with weed, it might better improve the neighborhood if they turned it into a parking lot.

Pretty cool garden that we've walked past numerous times over the past couple months. Love to see…read morethe different veges being grown and some pretty flowers. Some of the sunflowers are crazy huge as well. Only drawback is that homeless and/or shady characters tend to hang around the edges of the garden, and you need to carefully maneuver around piles of dog crap everywhere.

Always the center of the community, offering celebrations, concerts, garage sales, a Farmer's…read moreMarket in the summer months, book clubs, a tool library and so much more. The event on this visit included a celebration of Holi! Fun, music and so much more. Check out their website our the Phinney Review newspaper for more upcoming activities and events.

Review of the Kiddo Play Area: So this pandemic thing is really taking a toll on things, and well,…read morewe have been to basically every open air playground around the Greenwood/Broadview/Carkeek area... except we realized that we haven't been to the one behind the PNA. So on a cold, non-rainy day, we took the kiddo there to see if it was any good. Keep in mind that it's reserved for the preschool during the week/business hours, but on the weekend, it was a nice change of scenery. They had a few play structures, on a mulch and rubberized area. Sure, parental guidance is required, and you really should have a "toddler" kiddo here... but for the kiddo, she enjoyed the slides, the "kitchen" and the tires. She being the expert of walking on narrow surfaces, I think enjoyed the areas like a balance beam master in training. If you have been everywhere, and you want a playground that is a nice scenery change, here's one more to add to the list. Also, nearby is Red Mill Burger, so there's that you could be eating, while your kiddo is playing to their heart's delight.

The Bellevue Demonstration Garden is a secret garden in the neighborhoods of Lake Hills!…read more(Bellevue). The Garden is connected to a wonderful trail system and I love walking from the garden over to lake Larsen and the blueberry patch. The garden is wheelchair and stroller accessible, it is suitable for children. The demonstration garden is maintained by volunteers from Master Gardeners of King County. Features include Diagnostic Plant Clinics (free consultation on garden topics), Compost Center, Greenhouse Operations, Children's Garden, over 40 demonstration beds and gardens, Saturday Workshop Series and seasonal plant sales. I love visiting this hidden gem throughout the season.

A nice friendly center but no weight room. People were doing an exercise class so there is a nice…read moreoffering of events. Staff is friendly too and big parking lot.

My wife signed us up for a Salsa class over the summer at this community center. I had never been…read moreto the community center so I wasn't expecting much. The parking lot was huge and surrounded by tall trees. The shade is great on hot summer days. There is a big play area in the grove of trees behind the community center. You walk through an art-filled garden to get to the door of the community center. Upon entering, there is a bronze statue of books right in front of you. Pretty cool! Off to the left is a kids area where they have Tot Time and story time for kids (there is a small charge to attend). Off to the right is a desk with a receptionist. The dance class is in a large room with mirrors on one of the walls. Our instructor is a local gentleman in his 50's. Such a wonderful teacher. Only 4 couples signed up for the class, but we have a lot of fun despite small numbers. I am anxious to take more classes at the B.C.C.!