Maple Leaf Reservoir Park is a neighborhood park in north Seattle. It spans 16 acres and has a…read morevariety of activities like pickleball courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, and a kids playground. There is a huge loop for joggers and strollers and inside the loop is a huge grassy area for picnics and folks with dogs. The two parts of the park are separated by a set of stairs. Near the public restrooms near the playground is Noah's Butterfly Garden which is a cute little section. I've always driven by this park but have never visited until now, and I might have to continue coming back because it's very nice.

Pros: - Great views of Mount Rainer (on clear days)…read more- Kids will love the playground in the lower park - Pickleball and basketball courts (limited) Cons: - No shade trees for hot days (in upper park) - Not enough picnic tables - Dogs are supposed to be leashed, but locals (and non locals) let their pets roam freely in a corner of the upper park. It's inconvenient if you want to set up volleyball nets or play frisbee. :-(

Kirke Park is a nice small neighborhood park that a community garden and playground to encourage…read morechildren to play and learn. Being a neighborhood park, there are lot of small children's toys that can be found that includes dump trucks, car toys, toy boats, etc. Also several children's jackets hanging on benches and part of the playground (I hope these children come back to claim their coats). I was surprised to see a small little trail behind the playground that can be fun for a child (an an adult that is young at heart) to play hide and go seek or other fun games. The playground itself has 2 large swings that are pretty comfortable to swing on and can get a lot of air and lift. There is a slide and a small rock wall to challenge little hands and legs. There is also plenty of grass for 4 legged little friends to also stretch their little legs and potty on the grass (please do pick up after your pups). The community garden here is actually pretty big and love how there is opportunities for children to learn more about mother earth, sustainability and the environment. Parking for this little park is just street but shouldn't be a problem if you don't live close enough to walk to. Although small, definitely a nice little park that is perfect for little ones to play (please note that there are no restrooms available, nor a water fountain so plan accordingly).

Great for a little neighborhood park if you live nearby. not worth it if it's a drive…read more Pros: -a couple of picnic tables -plenty of grass to picnic -sand box area -fun little wooded trail Cons: -no bathrooms -street parking -no water fountain

This is my favorite Seattle neighborhood park. It's a pleasant and quiet park in between Meridian…read moreand Wallingford nestled in a residential neighborhood behind the Meridian School, next to the Demonstration Garden. There's a big lawn perfect for frisbee and picnics, a playground with swings and play structures, and a path underneath a cool rock archway, all circumscribed by a path shaded by big trees. A peaceful retreat with ample shade and open space.

This is a good playground, a bit of a hike, like a 2 mile walk from the University Ave (University…read moreof Washington campus area) area. It is behind, in the back of the property, and has lots of playground equipment, but it's a bit secluded and harder to access by walking to it. It's not better than other family friendly park & rec's in California, but maybe for Seattle it's considered above average. It's the best I've experienced in Seattle, which isn't saying much 'tho. I'd still recommend this for toddlers 'tho.

Lawton Park is the epitome of a neighborhood park and contains two play structures and little…read moreleague field. It's a bit of an odd trek entering in on 26 Ave as it's a significantly steep climb. Leaving past Williams Avenue also doesn't look on the map like the trail goes through the woods, but boy does it and those mildly creepy woods spit you out right onto 29th Ave. The park itself was incredibly clean and while it didn't boast much seating or culture (the one star loss), it does seem to be aimed at the Elementary School age since it nearly adjoins Lawton Elementary School. I could easily see the school using the field for their local team. For the most part Lawton Park is probably meant only as a park for the school and locals, and doesn't seem to be aimed at being anything other than a children's recreation area so unless you're bringing children here, it's probably not going to be your cup of tea.

This was a sacred place to the indigenous peoples who lived here originally. There was a small bowl…read morethat the spring was coming up into. The Creeks run through in between the houses in the overpacked neighborhood around the sacred area. The spring has now been piped so deep underground that there's no water in the bowl. There is and was a nice creek that had been rehabilitated and animals reintroduced native to the area as far as frogs and other things like salamanders and bird habitats Etc. Then the homeless started moving in and lots of drug use. I'm told you can't even go there now that you're literally walking through somebody's campsite if you go on to the trails. This park has a huge place in my heart but can no longer go to it because of the fact that you're walking through some of these living room instead of a park. There was a lot of fecal fecal matter / human. Needles and the expected unhygienic things of community not being cared for. It was sad enough for the spring dried up. Well it didn't really dry up it was piped because of the houses in the area. It makes me sick that we would go and take a beautiful piece of land that was so sacred the original European families like the Denny's the borans and others used to Camp there. It was literally wild for them. Now it's the wrong kind of wild. It's bad enough we took this land away from people now we're letting it be a garbage dump and that water goes into Lake Washington and then our ocean so it needs to be cared for I'd rather have people on this side of the freeway than in the Parks polluting the water. So sad. I wanted to take a friend there and then I thought what am I thinking this is a dumb.

A nice discovery of a park and playground, easily accessible with plenty of street parking around…read morethe entire block it sits within. Play spaces available for smaller and bigger kids. Structures to climb, slide and explore. Swings for older and younger kids, as well as a paved trail/path for small bicycles and scooters. Be aware, however, there are a few uneven paved spots.

This trail highlights one of the things I love about Washington; you can live in an area for years…read moreand then randomly stumble across a little pocket of wilderness randomly on a Sunday drive. This is a great trail for a quick walk. There are sword ferns everywhere, and the trail is clearly marked. We passed quite a few folks on the trail who offered a cheery hello. Every now and again, you'll get a glimpse of the sound and the Olympics rising up above it.

A lovely setting for a neighborhood walk through the forest. Be prepared to share the trail with…read moredogs as many come to walk their pets on this loop trail. Slightly steep inclines which can be slippery when wet, but still doable. Even for kids as you will see smaller ones (maybe 2-ish years) as well as exploring 6-year olds. The space is quiet, calm, reflective and hikers friendly.

Located just outside of the Seattle Public Library, the Ballard Commons Park feels like less of a…read moretraditional park and more of a casual community gathering space. It serves many roles -- part municipal hub, part skate bowl, part public art venue, and during the summer months, transforms into a splash pad to help folks cool off. It is a true reflection of the Ballard neighborhood, which has something for everyone, good and bad. The good: :: Local skaters are very into the skateboard bowl, which is fully integrated into the public plaza design. :: The hours are from 4:00AM-11:30PM. That's basically a nap short of 24 hours in my book. :: Public art, that is free and showcases a local artist is always a good thing. :: West coast summer are some of the best in the country. The splash pad is a nice addition, even if it doesn't feel that hot. (#1) :: ADA accessible walkways. Inclusive access means there's an ease of movement for everyone. The bad: :: While having an onsite bathroom is a wonderful thing, it's not so good when it's not properly maintained. Foulness is not good, especially when there isn't any toilet paper or much of a working faucet. :: The homeless is a given, but things can get dodgy when there are youngins present. :: While the playground ("The Cove") was recently introduced as of last year with the ship theme, zip line, slides, rope ladders, but it's incredibly small. It is nautical play, but not something great if there's a lot of youngins present. :: It has been said that there is a lot of outdoor seating, but I was only able to find a handful of seats walls, stone benches, and little options in the shade. :: Park ranger or police patrols nearby? Not that I could see. __________ (#1) I live in Texas. That's hot.

Small flowers including daisies, clover, and buttercups were in bloom when I visited Ballard…read moreCommons Park yesterday, Sunday 28 May 2023. I arrived on the morning side of noon and explored a little on foot as well as sat on one of the benches to just take in the sun. Large grassy areas abutted a skate park and water spray area. By the skate park was an active musician, a Seattle Parks and Recreation tent, and a number of colorful sitting tables with chairs. Both porta-pottis and a metal restroom building were available for use next to a water fountain. An orca mural was painted on a small building in the west side of the park and lights lined paved walkways from above.

Nice clean playground with swings, two play structures for different ages, and a sand box…read more There is also tennis courts, baseball, and soccer fields. Lots of street parking I didn't notice a parking lot. There are also bathrooms available.

Nice. Right in the neighborhood, home to baseball, soccer, and more…read more Quiet, usually safe.