Green Spaces Around Seattle

It's usually nice out most of the year in the PNW. Besides the smoky wildfire season, I often prefer to spend time outdoors. I haven't been on any serious hikes or camping trips yet, but that's something to look forward to.

Woodland critters adapt to city life.
I wish we could make cities greener.

Bellevue Botanical Garden

There are a few sections, including a Japanese garden and some nature-inspired structures. This one area reminds me of the opening scene in "A Quiet Place."

I don't like toy space shuttles that make noise :(

Bellevue Downtown Park

This is easy park to go around, seeing as it's a giant circle. Conveniently around the mall, this is usually a place where I meet Louisianians. It's a place that's easy to grok. Surprisingly muddy in the middle. I think there are concerts around the Fourth of July.

What I imagine in a planned city park.

Gas Works Park

Just west of campus, this has a pretty view of Queen Anne, Downtown Seattle, and Capitol Hill from across Lake Union.

Folks taking in the views at Gas Works.

A view to the south.

Gold Bar

This was a retreat destination in my second year. I had just come back from Chicago after a conference at Northwestern, so I remember well the difference in accommodations that week.

A view from just outside our cabin's backyard.

Golden Gardens

The west coast of Ballard. They have a dog park with very well-behaved dogs, and some of the paths can get steep. It's also the westernmost point of the Burke-Gilman Trail.

A beach looking out to Pudget Sound.

Long stairs between the dog park and beach.

Green Lake

Like Bellevue Downtown Park, this one is a less regular circular path. Depending on the time of year, it's green, gray, or blue.

A warm, cloudless summer day with a slight breeze.

Pack Forest

The forest itself was nondescript. I even missed the mountain! But this was my first out-of-Seattle adventure destination during the Summer 2021 return to campus office retreat.

We drove faster than I could take the photo.

Ravenna Park

Heading northeast on the Burke-Gilman Trail, this has a main trail with a few branches outward, and two bridges that subdivide it into thirds.

The green bridge, prettier than the concrete one.

A wide path most of the way.

Yesler Terrace Park

This is a Honk! Fest West site for live music!

This captures a lot of Seattle to me.

Hopes for the Future

I hope to add more parks, photos, and memories here. I also kinda wonder how these trips would go while walking a dog...