The 534-acre Discovery Park is a haven for nature seekers. Positioned within the Magnolia neighborhood in west Seattle, the waterfront park is straight throughout from Bainbridge Island and sits on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound. Its 11 miles of strolling trails embrace a protracted stretch of tidal seaside together with meadows, forest, sand dunes, and sea cliffs. Operated by the town of Seattle, it is meant to be a sanctuary for wildlife and an outside environmental classroom for adults and youngsters.
The park’s acreage is the ancestral dwelling of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot Native American peoples, who occupied the land for at the very least 4,000 years and possibly nearer to 10,000, in accordance with the town.
Whereas at this time the park, the most important within the metropolis, is a peaceable and environmentally protected space, it’s the former website of Fort Lawton, a U.S. Military publish that was energetic throughout each World Conflict I and II and the Korean Conflict. Throughout the Second World Conflict, the fort was used as an embarkation level for troopers and provides headed to the Pacific Theater. Each the fort and the close by residential neighborhood of Lawton Wooden are named after Main Normal Henry Ware Lawton.
Strolling Trails Beckon To Beachfront, Forest
Entry to the park, at 3801 Discovery Park Boulevard and roughly a 15-minute drive from downtown Seattle, is free, and the park is open every day. It is best identified for its strolling trails, some paved and a few unpaved, and in addition is common with bicyclists, who’re requested to stay on paved parts of the paths.
Probably the most celebrated path is the West Level Lighthouse path, a 1.5-mile route accessible from all three of the park’s parking tons. An extended model, the Discovery Park and Lighthouse Loop Path, is simply over 4 miles and offers walkers nice views of the park’s beachfront and forest, and contains the historic lighthouse. The West Level Lighthouse was constructed in 1881 and continues to be an energetic navigational help. From the westernmost level of the loop path, walkers can see Mount Rainier to the south. Whereas the loop path does not attain the beachfront, walkers can take a brief detour alongside the South Seashore Path to get there.
The South Seashore and Hidden Valley Loop Path is about 2.5 miles and is heralded by hen watchers. The truth is, Discovery Park is dwelling to some 270 species of birds, together with eight owl species. Hikers are prone to see woodpeckers, gulls, herons, and chickadees, together with thrush and brant. Those that need to stroll on the seaside ought to select the North Seashore and Hidden Valley Loop, which features a 1.8-mile stretch of sandy seaside. Views of the Cascade and Olympics mountains might be seen from the Birds Nest and Lookout Seashore Path, which is a 2.6-mile loop, a few of which is hilly.
For kids, the Discovery Park Playground is situated close to the East Parking Lot. It’s a nature-inspired playground that was opened in 2017 and gives zip traces, slides, climbing buildings, and towers. The playground is shaded by evergreens and welcomes youngsters of all ages.
The Cultural Middle Provides Insights Into Native Peoples
Throughout the park, the Dawn Star Indian Cultural Middle and Sacred Circle Gallery & Present Store are situated in a contemporary constructing that has components of conventional Northwest Native structure. The middle and gallery are open every day, and admission is free.
The middle, which opened in 1977, gives Native American actions and occasions, akin to arts and crafts markets, and hosts the United Indians’ Seafair Indian Days Powwow every July. The gallery and present store characteristic everlasting and short-term displays of conventional and modern works by Native American artists, and the store sells authentic Native American artwork together with books, clothes, and different objects.
The middle’s said mission is to offer instructional, cultural, and social companies that reconnect Indigenous individuals within the Puget Sound area to their heritage. Among the many companies, it gives to Native households within the space is a standard medication program, consisting of workshops specializing in plant identification, tea and salve making, non secular practices, and conventional meals.
The place to Seize A Chew Close to Discovery Park
With all that mountain climbing and birdwatching, guests to Discovery Park will undoubtedly work up an urge for food, and there are a number of common eateries outdoors the park however inside a mile or two from the doorway.
Ray’s Boathouse, at 6049 Seaview Avenue, serves seafood plus natural meat dishes and native microbrews. The Ballard Reduce, at 5313 Ballard Avenue NW, focuses on seafood and steaks and holds common whisky tastings. For Peruvian-inspired delicacies, there’s Pink Salt, situated at 3321 W. McGraw Road.
Highliner Public Home gives seafood and shellfish specialties at its location at 3909 18th Avenue West. For an informal lunch, guests can try Serendipity Cafe and Lounge at 3222 W. McGraw Road, serving a variety of sandwiches and burritos.
