I love playgrounds that are colorful and have a variety of climbing structures, especially if they cater to kids of all ages. When we visited Bellevue’s Surrey Downs Park with our friends and their kindergarten- and middle school-aged kids, we hit the jackpot.
This spot comes in handy if you’re visiting downtown Bellevue and have kids who constantly ask, “When are we going to the playground?”
Quick Facts
- Location: 11177 SE 4th St, Bellevue
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Best for Ages: Infants to 12 years
- Bathrooms: Open during Park hours ( 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
- Parking: Dedicated lot, with extra roadside parking spots in the neighborhood
Our Experience
Our park visit was part of a fuller Sunday outing and combined with shopping at Bellevue Square Mall. After shopping, we grabbed our favorite watermelon coconut milk drink from Yezi Coconut Dessert before hitting the playground. While the girls rode their scooters, we walked alongside them on the paved multipurpose path.
The bike look at Surrey Downs Park (Photo by Vizhi Thirusangu)
The Park
Surrey Downs Park is on the west side of Bellevue, just a 10-minute drive from downtown. The park features vibrant play structures with clear separation between a toddler play area and a more challenging area for kids ages 5 and older.
Paved bike paths and an expansive, lush green lawn make this park perfect for weekend picnics and playtime. It offers two first-come, first-served picnic shelters, each with two picnic tables. The bike path is a 0.5-mile loop that winds through thoughtfully constructed hilly mounds. My child had a blast biking and rolling down the gently sloped grassy mound.
On a clear day, the peak of Mount Rainier is visible from the bench atop the green mound. During the fall season, the park becomes the ultimate photoshoot spot, with colorful leaves lining the circumference of the open green space.
I should add that my toddler got excited every time she saw the Sound Transit light rail pass by the park.
(Photo courtesy Berger Partnerhsip_
The Playground
Like the surrounding park, the play structure is a color burst, with an exciting climb-and-slide circuit featuring layered square net climbers, rope bridges integrated into the slides, and a long cable zip line. Our girls tested out all the climbing and sliding elements and spent more time on the classic Zip line, taking turns.
Additionally, a fun square net climb structure with a safe, low slide is set up on a hilly mound for toddlers, along with small, colorful climbing blocks.
Swings include standard belt swings for older children, infant bucket swings, and a “Mommy and Me” swing.
Amenities & Accessibility
- Team sports court: Basketball court
- Stroller friendly: Yes, includes a paved pedestrian path loop
- Nearby transit stop: East Main Station
- Parent seating: Picnic tables near the playground + Scenic view benches
- Picnic area: 2 Covered Picnic Shelters (FCFS basis)
- Water fountains: Yes
- Dog-friendly policies: Allowed on a physical leash at all times
Things to do around
- Shopping: Bellevue Square Mall, H-Mart, and other prominent grocery stores, including Target and Home Depot, are all located all within a 10-minute drive from the park
- Library: Bellevue Library is located an 8-minute drive away
- Other parks nearby: Bellevue Botanical Garden, Willburton Hill Park, Bellevue Downtown Park
Would We Come Back?
This is our usual park stop when visiting Bellevue downtown, and we skip the crowded Inspiration Playground. The grassy mounds, bike paths, colorful playground structures, and scenic views of Mount Rainier make it a unique children’s park.
