Adams Street Boat Ramp

Location: South Seattle
Address: Adams St. and Lake Washington Blvd. S.
Acreage: ~1.5

The Adams Street is obvious. The "Boat Ramp," not so much. About a mile and a half north of Seward Park along Lake Washington Blvd. S, you'll find a small parking lot that jets out slightly into the lake. This is Adams Street Boat Ramp, which is really just a hand-carry boat launch perfect for kayaks and canoes.

This is also a great place to stop and enjoy the view of Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains. The flat grass and gradual shoreline make it a nice place for kids to play.

From Adams Street Boat Ramp you can walk or bike to several wonderful nearby parks including Stan Sayres Memorial Park (home of Seafair), Genesee Park (very dog-friendly) and Lakewood Playground (very kid-friendly).

Only about 15 parks to go... if you're still out there, post a comment with the name of your favorite park.

#377 (Visited 4/16/13)

Northlake Park

Location: North Seattle/Wallingford/U-District
Address: 7th Ave. N.E. and N.E. Northlake Way
Acreage: ~0.03 acres

A slightly widened concrete sidewalk at the street end of 7th Ave. N.E. makes up Northlake Park. There is no access to the waterfront, unfortunately, but this is a nice viewpoint.

Pause here on a walk and you can admire the boats moored just below or look across the water to the Eastlake neighborhood. The park is almost underneath I-5 and very close to the Burke-Gilman Trail.

Another park just 500 feet away is North Passage Point Park where you'll find waterfront access, picnic tables and more views.

#376 (Visited 3/6/13)

Mineral Springs

Location: North Seattle/Northgate
Address: 1500 N 105th St.
Acreage: 4.0

This is a fun park. One of only two official disc golf course in the city, Mineral Springs is worth visiting whether you're into hurling flying discs at a metal pole or just want to stroll along the gravel paths and admire the wonderful variety of trees.

Some cool art in the shape of discs invites kids to play and explore. 

While you're in the neighborhood, walk south half a mile to Licton Springs Park.


#375 (Visited 2/24/13)

Nathan Hale Playfield

Location: Northeast Seattle
Address: 10750 30th Ave. N.E.
Acreage: 5.6

A few Seattle high schools have playfields that are maintained by the parks department. Nathan Hale in north Seattle is one of those and lucky for this neighborhood, it's in very nice condition.

This is a great track and football field with new bleachers and easy access from the parking lot. A popular place to exercise when not in use by the school, Nathan Hale Playfield is also close to another great park. Meadowbrook Playfield sits just around the other side of the school and includes a playground, tennis courts and other amenities.


#374 (Visited 2/23/13)

Mock Creek Ravine

Location: Northeast Seattle
Address: N.E. 97th St. and 35th Ave. N.E.
Acreage: 0.82

Not all of this park is accessible, but you can tromp onto the grass section above the ravine where you can hear the creek trickling below.

The brush seems too thick to get much further, but this could be a nice picnic spot with fruit trees to sit beneath. (Although there's little privacy from the houses immediately across the street)

You get to this park by turning onto N.E. 97th St. 


#373 (Visited 2/23/13)

View Ridge Playfield

Location: Northeast Seattle/View Ridge
Address: 4408 N.E. 70th St.
Acreage: 9.1

This large park in north Seattle is aptly named after its neighborhood. And, it's a great neighborhood park. Walking paths wind through the tall trees, which are a mix of evergreens, oaks and other deciduous varieties, leading to a basketball court and two picnic areas.

One is a covered area with picnic tables that even has a sandbox thoughtfully tucked underneath, so play can continue on drizzly days. The adjacent playground has two fabulous play structures with slides and tunnels. A summer wading pool and swing set are also in this area. 

The big grass field can hold soccer and baseball/softball games or just run around room as it did on the day I visited for some kids doing football skills.

#372 (Visited 2/23/13)

Lakeview Place

Location: Central Seattle/Eastlake
Address: 1042 Lakeview Blvd. E.
Acreage: 0.004

Do we count a park that's size is listed as 0.004 acres? And, it's really just a not-terribly-accessible hillside?

I doubt even the neighbors know this one's a park, as Lakeview Place sits squeezed between two houses on a Capitol Hill slope overlooking I-5.

The tall ivy covered trees are its best feature even if you can't exactly walk among them or even enjoy a picnic at this silly park.

#371 (Visited 2/5/13)