Fourth of July weekend is full of hustle and bustle, but maybe you’d just like a walk in the park? Ahh, shady trails, quiet conversation and a babbling brook sound pretty nice after the “rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air”.
For our Walk-n-Talk this weekend, on Sunday July 5, we’ll begin at the SeaTac Community Center and head north and west up to North SeaTac Park for a stroll on the trails. The park route provides a great study of native tree species and lots of shady areas on what will be a hot weekend.
We’ll complete our loop walk, return to the Community Center, then wander the paths of the adjacent Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. The garden is currently full of lush green and summer bloom, including daylilies, clematis, roses, waterlilies.
- Date: Sunday July 5, 2015
- Time: Meet at 2:00 p.m. Start walking at 2:15 p.m.
- Location: SeaTac Community Center front entry door. 13735 24th Ave S., SeaTac WA
- Parking: There is plenty of parking, split between two lots at the Community Center.
- Who: Walkers of every level and ability. The route is pretty darned flat, just a slight slope from the Community Center leading to the park.
- Route: The selected walking route is almost entirely paved. About 20% of the way is a well-maintained, gravel road, (very passable for baby strollers). There are also countless dirt trails criss-crossing the park, for which a walking partner is recommended.
(See dotted lines on the maps below.) Total distance of 2-2.5 miles, depending on wishes of the walkers. Click on the map to see a larger view. Please print the map out and bring it with you as a walking guide.
(You can click on the maps below to enlarge and then print them.)
Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
“The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden covers 10.5 acres of display gardens, woodlands, and trails reclaimed from a suburban brownfield.
Highlights of the currently developed 3 acres include the Seike Japanese Garden, “Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden”, the “Sensory Garden”, located adjacent to the SeaTac Senior Center, and display gardens planted and maintained by the King County Iris Society, Puget Sound Daylily Club, Seattle Rose Society, and the City of SeaTac Parks Department.
Projects currently in the design or construction phase include the “Natural Yard Care” Garden and a display bed for our newest garden partners, the Puget Sound Fuchsia Society.”
Directions from the middle of Burien:
Drive east on SW 152nd St. to Des Moines Memorial Drive S. Turn Left and go north on Des Moines Memorial Drive S. Take a right and go east on S. 136th St. Drive several blocks and take a right on 22nd Ave. S. into the North SeaTac Community Center Parking area. There are two parking areas, with plenty of parking.
Directions from east of Burien:
Take Hwy. 518 westbound toward Burien, to the exit for Des Moines Memorial Drive S. Turn right and go north on Des Moines Memorial Drive S. Take a right and go east on S. 136th St. Drive several blocks and take a right on 22nd Ave. S. into the North SeaTac Community Center Parking area. There are two parking areas, with plenty of parking.
North SeaTac Park amenities include: baseball/soccer/softball fields, open area, restrooms, playground equipment, picnic area, outdoor basketball, paved walking trails, community center, BMX track, disk golf, parking.
On past Walk-n-Talks, we’ve walked within the City of Burien, and have generally started at Town Square. But there are interesting places to check out in the neighboring communities as well.
Here’s more information from the City of SeaTac Web Site:
SeaTac Parks & Facilities List
SeaTac Parks & Program Facilities Maps
