From the Puget Sound Urban Nature Series
GREEN LAKE PARK
Well-loved by Seattleites
by Rebecca Bailey
I just walked the 2.8 mile footpath around Green Lake for the umpteenth time and it was worth every step.
When walking or spending time in this park there is an underlying feel-good energy. You leave feeling like you are part of something bigger than your sometimes not-so-exciting life.
As humans, we are instinctively drawn to these open spaces wanting to feel connected to something bigger than our never-ending to-do lists.
Apparently many people agree with me because it is one of Seattle's more popular parks. On any given day you will find people jogging, walking, biking and skating the nearly 3-mile paved trail that surrounds this pretty lake.
It is especially popular with moms who like to walk or jog with strollers and Seattle's mild temperatures make it a popular year-round destination.
Part of it's popularity is proximity. It's truly urban. The lake is smack-dab in the middle of the highly populated Green Lake neighborhood. This hip urban area is a mix of homes, condos, restaurants and specialty shops.
Despite the city feel, it is hard to ignore nature here. The 2.8-mile footpath that follows the perimeter of the lake takes you through a diverse terrain. You can see flocks of swimming and diving ducks and geese eating and sleeping in the grasses and reeds that grow near the shore.
The park is a natural preserve for hundreds of species of trees, plants and flowers that beautifully landscape the grounds.
The footpath passes a mix of athletic fields, a children's wading pool and a boat business that rents canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and sail boats during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
For coffee house lovers, a Starbuck's is conveniently located adjacent to the park on the eastside--a perfect place to meetup with a friend before the walk.
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