When it comes to finding nature within the city, it’s hard to top Seward Park. This mostly forested park, situated on a peninsula that juts into Lake Washington from southeast Seattle, contains 120 acres of old-growth trees—the biggest stand within the city of Seattle. The path along its shoreline is the longest you can walk along Lake Washington without waving in someone’s window. It’s a nice little escape into greenery and birdsong; no freeway driving is required.
Here are six ways kids can explore the many amazing things the park has to offer:
Spot an eagle
Bald eagles nest in the park, and it’s a pretty good bet you can spot one on any given visit. They like to perch at the top of one of the tallest old evergreens. (A truly Pacific Northwest Christmas tree would have a bald eagle on the top, not a star or an angel.) Or sometimes, they pose photogenically on one of the trees nearest the water.
Here’s something many people don’t know about bald eagles: They don’t make the screeching noise you hear them make on TV or in the movies. That’s a red-tailed hawk, a fierce-sounding bird, unlike the bald eagle. Eagle calls sound more like a squeaky door than the call of the wild.
Explore the old growth
Seward Park has a network of trails that bring you up close to big mossy Douglas Firs, red cedars, and other living things that depend on them. You can find places where a long-fallen tree has become a nurse log for a new generation, examine epiphytes — plants, fungi, and lichens that grow on other plants — and see wildlife trees and old dead snags that now make homes for animals. And it’s lovely. Even on a busy weekend, you can get quiet and solitude on these paths.
Contemplate a mystery
Something has been killing the sword ferns in the forest on the south side of Seward Park, and scientists are working hard to find out what it is. You can read about it here, and you can see the phenomenon for yourself by walking the trails.
Meet a Madrona
Madronas are delightfully oddball trees. They are evergreen, but their leaves are shaped like deciduous trees. Their smooth, reddish-brown bark peels off in paper rolls. They are fun for kids to touch, explore, and sometimes climb. You can find them on the park’s south side, near the first picnic shelter.
Spy on Lily Pad Land
On the north side of the area where the peninsula meets the central part of Seattle, right next to the swim area, there’s a zone where pond lilies grow along the shore through the summer. This is a good place to find a spot to creep in close to the water and watch quietly. You might see dragonflies or damselflies cruising the pond or birds foraging among the lily pads. And if frogs are around, this is a good place to spot one.
Visit the Audubon Center
Nature-lover headquarters for Seward Park is the Audubon Center. Various bird feeders surround it, so you can easily view some feathered residents, particularly hummingbirds. And if you venture inside, you’ll find knowledgeable, passionate people ready to answer the questions you’ll have after an exploring session.
Bonus: Zip line down at the playground
The Seward Park playground in Seattle is a nature-inspired, family-friendly play area. Surrounded by towering trees, the playground features wood-themed equipment suitable for all ages, including climbing structures, slides, and swings and it even has a zip line! It offers a mix of sun and shade, with benches and picnic spots nearby, making it ideal for relaxing while the kids play.
