Wonderful park. I would say if you were to rank parks in Everett, First is Silverlake, Second,…read moreForest Park, and 3rd this park with Emma Yule in fourth place.....my 3 year old son and I try out at least once every park around town. Then we rank them...lol The slides at this playground do not require skilled climbing ability to get to and go down. The way they designed the playground makes it so a 3/4 year old can play with a 8 year old very well. Plenty of swings, and other small things for them to play on as well. This park has bathrooms, a gazebo with picnic tables for birthday parties or w/e and plenty of parking. You can also walk across street and there is a cliff view for pictures. This makes it a good spot for people visiting Washington. This is also the park a lot of people go to on the fourth of July to watch fireworks.

This has to be one of those hidden gem places you hear about sometimes. The arboretum was pretty…read moreeven in September when many gardens are starting to look a little sad. We encountered a group of (unfriendly) young women in hoop skirts, a photo shoot where a Dad was slowly twirling his daughter the bride while a photographer captured the moment (so sweet!), interesting sculptures, and volunteers tidying garden beds, who chatted with my Mom as though they had been friends forever. I've found that people have varied reactions when encountering a person with dementia; I'm always grateful when people spend a few minutes chatting with my Mom. Across the street is a great overlook park with picnic tables and benches that all had great views over the harbor.

This park has grown so much over the few years. Their paved path is great and long. Their play…read morestructure is great for the older kiddos. The parking is nice with one for the park, and one for the lake access. There is so much open space and tons of space to enjoy for anyone in the family. We enjoyed the firework show for July 3rd. It is such a perk that the whole park is fenced in from the Main Street.

When I arrived at Southwest County Park this morning, about 7:40 a.m. on Thursday 18 May 2023,…read morethere were already two cars in the parking area on Olympic View Drive. By the parking area is a main sign with park information and a map of the trail system, which includes an inner and an outer loop, with a marker for where the sign is located "You are here" on the lower left. The sunlight was a little more golden/yellow than normal due to wildfire smoke haze. The air was warm and birds sang throughout out my walk around the outer loop. They flitted from branch to branch and rustled about in the brush on the ground. I encountered juncos, song sparrows, rufous-sided towhees, a rufous hummingbird, and a gray squirrel while walking. Wildflowers were in bloom and salmonberry plants bore both blooms and not yet ripe fruit. For the outer trail, I found the path to be relatively flat and easy to traverse. I paid attention to road positioning as I walked as I could glimpse it through the trees at different points on the trail. It started on my right (I went counterclockwise around the outer loop), so I knew I was nearing full-circle when it switched back to being on my right again. I missed the parking area by one side trail and ended up coming out at the end of the lot instead of the main trailhead. Fun park to enjoy the wilderness.

This is an interesting little area just off the road. You can do a few little loops or take the…read moreadventurous route and go off the map (but still on clearly used trails) and get a bit more distance in. I lost reception so my phone stopped tracking me accurately, but I got 3 miles or so in with the looping shown below. So, check it out if you are driving by and want a quick dose of greenery. Bottom line: This is not a destination to add to your nature bucket list, but it is worth pulling over for to get some fresh air and a few calories burned if on your way to or from Mel and Mia's.

Walks through this park are peaceful and never overcrowded. A few residents in neighboring…read moreapartment buildings utilize areas. Children's playground and tennis courts near sothside entrance and north entrance has access to trail going through canopied forest area . Trail is steep but wooden steps (help with footing) maintained by a local Boy Scout troop.

I visited Pfingst Animal Acres Park for the first time yesterday evening…read more The Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Arts Council was hosting a Concert at this park featuring Portage Bay Big Band. This park is so pretty, with many tall trees and a rushing stream that apparently is sometimes home to salmon. There is a very short walking trail at this park. My new friend Heather J and I walked along the short trail and up to the pretty stream before the concert started. Heather J is great! I am very glad that we have become friends. I previously lived in Lake Forest Park for 4 years, and I had no idea that this park was here for that entire time! The hosts of this event were very gracious and so sweet and welcoming. Parking here was fairly plentiful, although I took an uber to this particular event. The event was well-attended though, despite the intermittent sprinklings of rain yesterday evening, so both parking areas ended up mostly full by the time that the event was underway. Quite a few people arrived late to this event, so I think if you arrive early like I did to an event here that you would have a good chance of finding parking right in front of this park. I brought a couple of outdoor cushions with me, and Heather J and I sat at one of the 4 (?) picnic tables there. However, many of the attendees to the event brought outdoor chairs, and I feel like this might be the way to go if I attend another event here, since getting a picnic table to sit at is definitely not guaranteed. This was a free event, but donations were requested. I did put a small amount of cash into the donation box. There were no food trucks or any other food for sale at this event. I brought 2 Bobo's Oat Bars from home, one for me and one for Heather J. The Oat Bars are gluten-free for me and vegan for her. If you are considering attending one of the events here, you may want to consider bringing a small snack or two. The garbage cans for trash (from snack wrappers, or from anything else) are located between the park area and the street. My uber driver on the way home was super friendly, and he was so interested in maybe taking his nephews to one of the events at this park that I shared the event flyer with him and he took a photo of it on his phone. So, I made sure to take a photo of the event flyer to post here, too, just in case anyone else is interested. I am also posting a photo of Heather J and I that she took on her phone and kindly shared with me, with the band stage and a small section of this park in the background. Such a nice park. It's fun to explore previously undiscovered outdoor spaces in my local area.

I visited this park with my daughter after she told me about the huge Rhododendrons growing there…read more She was right! The Rhodes are Ginormous! If you are looking for a hike, it's not here, but a beautiful and interesting walk, this is a great place. The far side of the creek ignited our curiosity with its stone built ruins, beautiful trees and the aforementioned Rhododendrons. I wish that I'd brought my camera! Sorry!

One of the secluded municipal park in Mill Creek. Located between Village Green Dr and 155th St SE…read more This recently renovated park does have nature themed play area, sheltered picnic area, paved walk, tennis court etc. Never found this place crowded or noisy. Being secluded and in the middle of a quiet neighborhood gives a perfect opportunity for any family to have a peaceful getaway place. It is open from dawn to dusk. The main play structures are designed mainly for 5-12. There's a smaller structure available for younger kids as well. But most of the kids will be attracted by the tandem swing and the uniquely designed merry-go-round. It encourages group play with the steering wheel in the middle to encourage a combined effort for the enjoyment. Tennis court and paved walking trails - that's all for parents. There's no restroom. Sheltered picnic area is also advantage during poor weather conditions. Very limited parking - hardly 3-4 available. I am sure kids will have a great time. Highly recommended.

They've added to this place since I came here with my dogs last summer. There are now benches…read morescattered throughout the trail so that you can sit and enjoy the beauty of nature. It's a nice place to get your hiking fix. Before this place was only about .5 miles long, now it's more than doubled in size. There's some steep climbs, but nothing overwhelming. They still haven't added much for views of the wetlands or creek running through, aside from the small little bit you get at the head of the trail. My dogs loved it here. They provide waste bags and there's trash and recycle also at the head of the trail.

Beware of coyotes. We have seen very "healthy" ones this year. Parking and restroom for a few cars.read more

For a perfect summer day, head to this delightful lakeside retreat. You can spread out on the soft…read moregrass, build sandcastles on the beach, or make a splash by jumping off the dock. It's a true family paradise, complete with a dedicated splash pad and playground for the little ones. The location is ideal--within walking distance of charming local shops--and the on-site bathrooms make for a stress-free visit. Remember to pack a pop-up tent or umbrella, as shade is limited. Bonus: it's a dog-friendly spot, so your furry friends can join in the fun!

Arriving at North Cove Park after a donut from Lake Stevens Donuts the morning of Wednesday 19 July…read more2023, I found a few open spots in the parking area, which was shared with the Lake Stevens City Hall parking. Staff/employee spots were clearly marked, so I made sure to avoid parking in any of those. Exploring on foot, I traversed a grassy expanse on my way to the Lake Stevens War Memorial. Those honored in the memorial included wars temporally spanning World War I to the Vietnam War. A flag retirement box was located on the pavement near the memorial. Along a walkway to the beach area on the shoreline of Lake Stevens, I spotted a number of different wildflowers and wild berries in bloom. The water was calm and sky clear. A few people were on the dock and it was quiet. Up from the beach there were benches, a covered picnic table area with grill that abutted a restroom building with running water, and a playground. The grounds were well maintained and in good condition.