Location: Woodinville
Address: N.E. Woodinville-Duvall Rd. and 188th N.E.
Acreage: 22
This perfect little neighborhood park was buzzing on the sunny winter day I visited with young and old enjoying picnics and play time outside. The 22-acre park was a logging site before it became a resort called Norm’s, which was run by Norm and Georgianna Fragner from 1942-1979. It became a King County park in 1999.
There’s a lot to do here, but I suggest you start your visit on the waterfront of Cottage Lake where you’ll find one long and one short dock stretching out into the water. This park is a great spot for launching a kayak or canoe for a tour around the quaint and calm 63-acre lake.
You can also bring your pole and cast a line into the water. The lake is stocked with trout, although you could also catch a perch or bass if you’re lucky. The wetland conditions along the shore and abundant trees make it a good spot for birding especially this time of year. (But, don’t feed the ducks as some of the visitors were doing when I was there!)
Wander the short trails that wind along the shore and then up into the quieter end of the park where you’ll find stretches of grass and trees. The loop ends back in the heart of the park where the amenities are packed in: seasonal outdoor swimming pool (operated by the Northshore YMCA), a great playground, a covered shelter, picnic tables, barbecues, basketball courts, and an amazing high ropes course also operated by the YMCA.
The park hosts a summer concert series every year, which would be a lovely way to round out the seasons at Cottage Lake.
#496 (Visited 1/13/19)