- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
St Edward State Park
Rating Details »
14445 Juanita Dr NE
Kenmore, WA 98028
(425) 823-2992
Kenmore, WA 98028
(425) 823-2992
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
27 reviews for St Edward State Park
This place was pretty sweet. Hadn't ever been before today. Needed a place close to Bothell with trails for the dog that was preferably close to the water and St Edward fit the bill.
There is a large open field area with different sections for kids (complete with alot of nice looking playground equipment), BBQs and walking. The trails radiate out from the path that circles the area. Each trail has a map at the beginning that shows all the trails, their names, the difficulty level and whether it's good for biking. There are wooden signs along the trail that specify it's length (most are under a mile).
The trails on the west side of the park run by the beach (it's pretty small), but most of them connect so if you want a longer hike you can start on the east side and make your way around to the west or vice-verca.
My only complaint about the place concerns the variance of the difficulty levels. I took a "moderate" trail down to the beach and a "moderate" trail back up to the parking area and the trail on the way back was much steeper and narrower. I'm still giving five stars because I didn't take a "difficult" trail so I don't have anything to compare it to but just be warned in case you have some sort of condition that might be aggravated by a moderately difficult (pun intended) climb.
Bottom line: This place is great!
How much do I like this park? So much that in the past 48 hours, I have been two times. It's that kind of awesome. Plus, it's not crowded. Double bonus.
The first time was with my date, and we headed down to the beach to walk to the beach and watch the sunset and talk. We basically had the beach to ourselves, and dipping my feet in the water and talking was awesome. The only bad thing was the sun was setting quite quickly, so we took the "most difficult" trail, Grotto, up and it was kinda scary walking in the depths of a trail when the darkness is impending.
Today, I hit the trails solo and took a few of the trails that were considered "easy" and "more difficult" and had a great relaxing time. I enjoyed myself, and basically had all the trails to myself. I felt like Snow White in a magical forest, with birds flying around. I loved it.
I will agree with Terrell, the trail "directory" is basically useless and super confusing. But being that this place is about 15 minutes away from my house, I will be back again and again. My booty will thank me for it.
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (6)
- Cool (8)
A friend of mine suggested this park as an alternative to hiking alone. Since I was going to be in the hood anyway, visiting Big A at work, I decided to check it out. It was not a good experience.
Maybe I was having an off day, but I could not figure out the trail map. It appeared very straightforward, but once I was on the main trail, I found the routes were not clearly marked. I wasn't sure where I was going, but forged ahead, thinking at some point I'd end up near the water. Unfortunately, they were hosting some kind of kid's camp that day and the entire beach was over run with screaming offspring. High pitched squeals are not a good complement to a hike.
To make matters worse, the trail I was on was composed completely of huge chunks of gravel, which I found very hard to walk on. Maybe it's good terrain for biking, but not for walking. At one point I veered off on a dirt trail for some relief, only to find it totally overgrown. I had to turn back and ended up running, instead of walking, on the gravel.
Back at the trail head, I tried to make more sense of the map, but decided to head home. I was already frustrated. I'm sure the park is lovely for gatherings and maybe the beach is cool when it's not crowded with kids. Knowing where to go probably helps too. I just don't think I'll ever make the trip out to Kenmore to give St. Edward a second chance.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (3)
Mi perrita, Lupita, treated me to a nice hike in honor of Mother's Day.
Beautiful area, folks.
The birds were at their finest, too. It took us forever to get past the first half-mile due to the many, many birdies that we had to stop to look at.
I'm hoping to get back here soon to try out some more trails. BTW, some great biking here, too.
As usual, the dog had a great idea to come here. She's cool like that.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (5)
I bought my house because it was within walking distance from this park. It is my all time favorite place. My husband and I found it back when we were into mountain bike riding. We used to have a group of friends that went regularly. The mountain bike trail association made a bunch of trails in and around the park for mountain bikers. They are pretty cool and have different variances in difficulty. Also, these trials are a blast to run on!! I love trail running throughout the park. Plus, I love walking my dog in the park too. It also has a great public pool. Hands down great park. You can't go wrong. Also, it is never that crowded.
It's really a gem among Lake Washington Parks, with trails that take you down to the Northshore beaches. The playground is a marvel.
This is the park that my family usually goes to for outdoor birthdays and 'picnics' with the grandparents. There are trees and a neat (pretty easy) trail down to the lake. Lots of people seem to bring their dogs here (and they LOVE swimming in the lake). The main reason my parents like going here is because it's easy for the grandparents to walk over to the picnic tables from the parking lot. As for me? Well.... I just like trees, plants, water, and.... eating outside.
They also have some pretty neat festivals here in the warm months. One time we stumbled onto Midsommarfest (hosted by the Skandia Folkdance Society), which included the raising of a Scandinavian solstice pole. (I should look into that one sometime, cause before this I only knew about the May Day pole) It was very family-friendly and I think they had music as well as booths. The only booth I really remember, though, is the one that was selling sugar cookies. Mmmm sugar cookies...
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
This is a fantastic park! I spent many hours here as a kid, on the playground or running around on the trails. At Halloween they used to (and maybe still do) a haunted trails thing where you go and run around on the trails in the dark and people in costume come and scare the piss out of you (literally, in my friend's little sister's case) and they have weird, creepy scenes set up with lights in the clearings. In the summer time there are fun musical events on the grass where you can just go and chill out and listen to local artists do their thing.
I still drive up to Kenmore on weekends sometimes just to hang out here - I can't wait for summer!
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Love mountain biking here. Terrain is some what level, but goes up and down and turns and weaves everywhere. There's some places to hit jumps and fly off trees if you're one of crazy bikers(I secretly wish I was). You can just keep riding the trails as long as you want and explore new territory and since the trails weave so much, you're never too far from where you started so you don't have to worry about the ride back.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Cool (1)
I hail from a land of palm trees, sandy white beaches and eternal sunshine. But you know what? It gets old. There's nothing like traipsing around under the canopy of giant trees, down to a secluded little beach on Lake Washington. Just wish the beach wasn't so, um, lame.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
The best park in the area, plenty of parking and its free. Nice nearby Bastyr University. Great playground for the kids. Beautiful trails through the huge forest. (Make sure to check the map and do not take "black" trails if you are not a good hiker). Great festivals (like Washington Brewers Festival on Fathers Day) and fair (Herb & Food Fair on the first weekend of June). Come alone, with friends, with the family and get fun!
I will admit that my rating is based almost entirely off of the playground. I have a toddler, so getting past the awesome playground to explore the rest of the park is really not an option. I look forward to jogging on the trails one of these days, but until then, I'll have to stick to marveling over the playground.
Okay. So I have never seen a playground like this before in my life. Certainly the best one in the Puget Sound area. I can't imagine how it can get much better that this. I suppose because it was designed by kids and built by the community. What does that tell you? We should all get together and build some more of these parks, so I don't have to drive so far just to get to this one! ;)
If you have kids and haven't been here yet, GO RIGHT NOW.
There is also a gorgeous old building on the grounds that used to be a seminary until 1977. There's nothing else like it around these parts, so enjoy the architecture and scenery while your kids play in the park, or take a hike down to the beach. I sure wish I lived closer to this park, I'd be there all the time!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
If you want to go on a short hike without ever leaving the city, this is a great place to check out.
This 316 acre park rises from the western shore of Lake Washington and includes several trails, a playground, multiple buildings (parts of which can be rented out - I saw a wedding reception being organized in one of them), a public pool, and many open spaces. The hiking trails range from easy to moderate difficulty and all lead down to Lake Washington where you can rest before starting the return ascent. Enjoy it!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (2)
A quiet forest in the middle of urban spawl with wooded trails, shoreline on Lake Washington and picnic areas with playgrounds for the little screamers.
If the lake is too cold, there's a nearby pool to dive into and fields for baseball or soccer. Bastyr University is 3 minutes walk up the road and the herb garden there is worth a look.
May the developers never get a foothold in this place.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
Earlier this year the Citizens For Saint Edwards State Park, successfully nominated the historic building and grounds of the Park to the National Register of Historic Places. The historic designation was awarded April 25, 2007.
This all culminated because of an attempt of a company to convert the old building to a Brewery / Hotel / Pub with the blessing of Washington State Parks. Hopefully, this will stay a park and not be overcome by commercialization.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
Nice park.
This place has the biggest play area for kids that I know of at a Seattle area park.
There is an extensive set of trails throughout the park, with the ones north of the access road pretty much dedicated to the MTB enthusiasts. Equally trails down to the lake are for walkers, and bike free. There are signs that show this at kiosks in the park.
Down at the lake, the beaches are limited at best, and access to the water is limited to the area around the trail ends, much of the shoreline is heavily vegetated.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
Nature... with its fresh air and trees and trails and moss and weird flying things that always seem to be right at head level. Buzz this... buzz that... what the hell just landed on me... what the hell left that big pile of crap in the middle of the trail? Oh look... yet another utterly fantastic and breath taking view the likes of which that will confirm that there's something much bigger happening in this universe... environmental propaganda here... recycle and natural resources there. Yada yada yada.
I'd rather be doing a little urban hiking around Seattle in any one of its great neighborhoods... with the exhaust fumes... people asking for change... the fear of being set on fire and of course the bars.
The only exception for me being St. Edwards State Park. I've managed to spend a small portion of my summer here and plan to keep coming back. There's fantastic trails ranging (for a non nature-y person such as myself) from super easy to lets get the heart rate up and the legs a burning. Half the trails allow biking and hiking while the remaining are exclusively hiking only. The grounds are incredibly well maintained and they have a fantastic bigtoy and family picnic area, tennis courts, soccer field and indoor pool.
If anything, take the meandering hike down to the shores of Lake Washington if you have an hour or two to spare. It's worth it.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
This is a very nice place to do for a picnic. There is plenty of space if you want to bring the kids to play sports in the open field.
There are many trails, I have yet to walk all of them. They are all marked on how difficult they are so if you have arthritis or a bad back you will know ahead of time how difficult the terrain will be. I prefer challenging terrain but, sometimes choose to go with friends who want a leisurely walk.
Just an FYI- There are few bathrooms so I hope you don't mind the bushes. (this could have changed though I was there last spring)
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
My kids love the "castle park". Its a lovely park in the midst of great greenery. My only complaint is the lack of restrooms and shade.
I've yet to walk any of the trails, but they look fantastic! All in all, I heart this park and its totally worth the drive me me and my family.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
I love this park and the buildings have so much history to offer for the locals to discover. Lots of trails to wonder out onto and the views are amazing. A kid friendly environment even for us grown ups.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
My family loves St. Edward's Park, its one of our favorite weekend destinations. It truly has one of the coolest play areas for kids and wonderful trails to the shore line of Lake Washington and through the greenery surrounding the the old seminary. It can get crowded, we like to go around 7 PM in the Summer when most people have taken off for dinner.
This park is absolutely awesome! All I am wondering is 'why the hell hasn't anybody told me about this sooner than now!' What? You didn't know that I am a dog lover and avid walker (well, only since owning my dogs), but that's not the point. The point is that I am always in need of new dog parks to give my curious pups a nice change and new experiences to smell, for the dogs that is, not for me to smell.
My better half (most of you know him as Joel H) and I made our first trip to St. Edwards Park just last week and it was fabulous. It was late in the afternoon and we didn't want to take a chance getting locked in, so we only managed to hike the trails for 90 minutes, but it was still great. Oh, and we walked one of the more hefty trails and I would recommend NOT dressing too warmly as I had a heavy coat on and the descent was fine, but I was sweating bucket loads by the time we hiked up the hills back to the main entrance.
Oh, and I would also recommend not hiking after a few days of rain, as I was a soggy and muddy mess by the time we made it back to the car. Then again, this may have had more to do with me hitting the trails with my 75lb dog kicking up mud all over me as he was dragging me along the rain beaten path. But even in spite of the mud and rain we had an awesome day in a picturesque setting away from the madness of the city, but very much within the city limits.
Update:
I would like to emphasize to all dog owners who may frequent, or want to frequent this great park, that this is NOT an off leash park. All those responsible and intelligent dog owners will notice the "please obey leash laws' signs situated throughout the park and will obey the law - thank goodness. But there are always one or two selfish pet owners who feel that this park is their private trail and will have their little aggressive horrors running wild (dogs that is, not children). You may have guessed that something bad happened on our trail today and you would be correct in that assumption. We met not one, but two people who ignored the signs and we were forced to try and protect our dogs. One person apologized and leashed his dog, but the other person verbally abused us ("you pitbull owners" kind of rant) and only leashed his dogs after I told him for the third time that it is against the law to have his dogs off leash AND to explain that my well behaved dogs are not the ones acting aggressively and barking in other dogs/people's faces. His dogs even went so far as to chase and harass Joel & Zoe for half a mile, while he continued to try to get it to come.
I admit I may sound like a raving lunatic, but there are enough off leash parks in Seattle for off leash lovers to attend.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (4)
This park is amazing! They have the best playground in the world in my opinion and so much more! One time we took the jogging stroller down down down the hill to the water and couldn't believe what an amazingly beautiful view we had. The scenery and ambiance can't be beat! WOW!!!!!!
This park is close to home, close to the water, and gorgeous. My husband and I got married there, as well. This is a great place for day hikes and wonderful pictures! Take time to stop and smell the ferns and trees and just listen to the sounds of nature.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (2)
Saint Edwards State Park has a fairly extensive trail network that is great for hiking and running. Good views of Lake Washington. A playground for kids, off-leash for dogs (I think), and some beautiful old buildings (although I didn't really investigate to find out what they were). All around a great place to spend some time.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
Wonderful sanctuary, this place. Dip into the lake or walk the trails, (you do know they are rumored to be haunted don't you?) and find a quiet sense of peace and solitude in this grand forested setting. Some trails are steep, and keep an eye on your kids.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
This is my neighborhood park and boy do I feel lucky to say that! This park has it all. Wonderful trails (easy to strenuous), amazing playground, huge fields for running and tossing a ball and we've seen both owls and deer on the trails. If you have younger kids, the playground is not to be missed.
