Seward Park (Seattle) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seward Park |
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Aerial view of Seward Park from the west, with Mercer Island on top and Seattle on bottom.
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Seattle, Washington |
| Area | 300 acres (120 ha; 0.47 sq mi) |
| Established | 1911 |
| Founder | E. O. Schwagerl |
| Designer | Olmsted Brothers |
| Operated by | City of Seattle |
| Open | 6 am – 10 pm |
| Website | Seattle Parks and Recreation: Seward Park |
Seward Park is a large public park in Seattle, Washington, USA. It's located in a neighborhood also called Seward Park and covers 300 acres (about 1.2 square kilometers). The park is on a forested piece of land called Bailey Peninsula, which sticks out into Lake Washington. It has one of the last remaining old forests in Seattle, with trees that are hundreds of years old. The park is named after William H. Seward, a former US Secretary of State.
Contents
Exploring Seward Park's Geography
Seward Park is easy to get to from different directions. You can reach it from the north, south, or west. In the southwest part of the park, you'll find a main parking lot and a tennis court.
Trails and Paths for Fun
The most popular path is a loop around the park that cars can't use. It's flat and about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long. This path was redone in 2007. There are also other trails that go through the middle of the park. Some roads inside the park lead to cool spots like an outdoor stage (amphitheater) and picnic areas. Seward Park also has many small beaches, with the biggest one on its southwest side. Plus, there's a playground and an arts center!
Discovering the Old Forest
About 120 acres (49 hectares) of Seward Park is covered by an old forest. This forest gives us a peek at what the lake shore looked like before Seattle was built. The trees in Seward Park are older than 250 years, but many are less than 200. This makes the forest relatively young compared to some ancient forests that were once in Seattle.
Seward Park's History
People have lived in this area for a very long time, since the end of the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. The local Duwamish people had special places here for gathering resources. They called Bailey Peninsula "Noses" because of its rocky points. They called the marshy land connecting it to the mainland "neck."
How the Park Was Created
People first suggested buying this land for a park in 1892. However, it was far from the city back then, so the idea was put aside. Later, the Olmsted Brothers, famous park designers, included it in their plan for Seattle's parks. The city of Seattle bought Bailey Peninsula in 1911 for $322,000. They named the park after William H. Seward, who was known for buying Alaska for the United States.
Gifts and Landmarks
At the park's entrance, there's a special stone lantern. It's a gift of friendship from the city of Yokohama, Japan. They gave it to Seattle in 1931 to thank Seattle for helping them after a big earthquake in 1923.
From 1935 until the mid-1980s, a Japanese-style wooden gate called a torii stood near the entrance. It was removed because it was decaying. A new one, made of stone and wood, was finished in early 2021.
Wildlife in the Park
Since at least 2004, wild rabbits have made Seward Park their home. There's also a growing group of wild parrots, called conures, living there. These parrots were either released by their owners or escaped. They fly between Seward Park and another area called Maple Leaf. The park is also home to two pairs of bald eagles. You can often see them flying over Lake Washington, diving to catch fish and ducks.
The Environmental Center
The old Tudor-style house at the park's entrance was once called the Seward Park Inn. It's a special landmark in Seattle. In 2008, it was renovated and became the Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center. This center offers many programs for schools, kids, and the community. They have activities about the environment, art, and special events. The center also has exhibits, a large library, a lab, and a small gift shop.
What to Do at Seward Park
Seward Park offers many different experiences for visitors.
Fun at the Beach
One great spot is the beach on Andrews' Bay. It has a wide grassy area and full facilities. It's one of Seattle's many lovely lakeshore beaches.
Playground and Sports
Next to the beach, you'll find a playground, tennis courts, and several large parking lots. This is a very social part of the park. Sometimes, people who live nearby even have parties here!
Picnics and Events
Higher up in the park are the "upper lots." These provide parking for a big picnic area and an outdoor stage. Community events are often held at the stage, which has beautiful views of the old forest. It's a popular place to celebrate the diverse cultures of Seattle's South End. These parking lots can also be used for impromptu gatherings.
Hiking in the Old Forest
The old-growth forest itself is a special experience. Granite markers help hikers find their way along the trails.
Walking, Biking, and Views
The paved path around the edge of the park is a favorite for walking, running, biking, and rollerblading. As you go around, you get amazing views of Seattle and the surrounding area. To the south, you can see Mount Rainier and Boeing plants. To the east, there's a great view of Mercer Island. To the north, you'll see downtown Seattle's skyscrapers, the busy I-90 highway, and the Jefferson Park golf course. To the west, you can see many beautiful homes climbing the ridge that borders the park.
Images for kids
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The Seward Park Torii in 2021.
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Southern shore boundary of Seward Park.
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A forest trail in Seward Park.
