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Two Lake Washington Neighborhood gems in Southeast Seattle
Over 120 years ago, the Seattle Park Superintendent wanted the city to buy the peninsula that is now Seward Park. Many opposed the idea because it was considered too far from town, but with the superintendent's vision and the Olmstead Brothers legendary landscaping plan, the Seward Park plan was developed in 1903.
Just to the north of Seward Park is the Mount Baker neighborhood, created by the Hunter Tract Improvement Co. in 1907, is perhaps best known for its elegant homes (the annual Mount Baker Home Tour is a favorite December event) and the wide swath of green that stretch from McClellan, the neighborhood's main street, down to the edge of Lake Washington.
For more history of the Rainier Valley, visit: www.rainiervalleyhistory.org
Play
The gem of the Lakewood/Seward Park community is, without a doubt, the 300-acre forest perched on the edge of Lake Washington. Home to eagles' nests, old growth forest, a 2.4 mile bike and walking path, an amphitheater, a native plant garden, an art studio, miles of hiking trails, and more, Seward Park draws nature lovers from all over the City, but especially its surrounding neighborhoods. Neighbors young and old wave to one another as they walk, run, bike, roller blade and push little ones on the swings. A recent addition to the park is the newly renovated and expanded Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center, which offers classes to all ages throughout the year.
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Lake Washington is our greatest treasure in Southeast Seattle. In addition to Seward Park, you can find public beaches, rowing, boat moorage, fishing and wonderful accessible walking/running/biking areas, as well as picnic areas. From late spring to early fall, between Mt. Baker to Seward Park neighborhoods, beautiful Lake Washington Blvd is closed to car traffic on specific Saturdays or Sundays for bicyclists.
Bradner Gardens, in northern Mount Baker, is a 1.5-acre park with P-patch, windmill, creek, bird sanctuary and basketball court that citizens fought to protect when the city wanted to turn it into 18 market-rate homes. In fact, the area boasts a number of small parks, as well as long, dramatic outdoor staircases that hide under massive canopies of trees leading down to the lake.
The Mount Baker community is home to many longtime traditions and events, including "Bicycle Saturday and Sunday" along Lake Washington Boulevard to Seward Park, Christmas ship parades, hydroplane races, Blue Angels air shows, Day in the Park and more.
The Mount Baker Community Clubhouse - a historic building thought to have been completed around 1914 - is on the National Register of Historic Places.
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| Northwest African American Museum |
Northwest African American Museum
After many years of planning and development, the Northwest African American Museum is now open to the public in the historic Colman School in Seattle's Central Area/Rainier Valley. The Museum features regional history, visual arts, crafts, music, literary and culinary culture of African Americans in the Northwest and beyond. www.naamnw.org
Visit the Rainier Chamber of Commerce for more information on shopping and restaurants in the entire Rainier Valley in Southeast Seattle: www.rainierchamber.com
Stay
Three blocks northeast of the house and a short jaunt through lovely Mt. Baker Park brings one to the shores of Lake Washington, providing a wonderful view of Bellevue and Mercer Island.
A few blocks from Mt. Baker Park is the neighborhood's only bed and breakfast in an authentic 1930s art deco, mission style hacienda blended with Philippine mahogany windows and hand laid Parquet floors. Casa de Esperanza offers three unique guest rooms available and a gallery featuring artists with disabilities.
Restaurants
When you get hungry from biking, hiking, pottery class, swimming or swinging on the swings, head over to the Seward Park, two-block district or the nearby Genesee district. Columbia City and Hillman City aren't too far away, if you need more choices. Mt. Baker has a very small commercial district, on the same street as the Clubhouse. You can grab a specialty pizza or salad and then head over to Mt. Baker Park across the street to the playground, for a game of tennis or an easy walk to Lake Washington.
Getting There
In summer 2009, the Link Light Rail train system is slated in begin operations in Rainier Valley.
Metro Bus
Link Light Rail
Information obtained with permission by Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center.
Photo: Dani Weiss Photography
Complied and written by Susan Davis, Executive Director, Rainier Chamber of Commerce, 1700 21st Ave. South, Suite 206, Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 725-2010, mail@rainierchamber.com
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