Myrtle Edwards Park

Location: Downtown Seattle/Interbay
Address: 3130 Alaskan Way W.
Acreage: 4.8

“Why don’t I take people from out-of-town here?” asked my walking buddy on the recent sunny spring morning we visited Myrtle Edwards Park. Why don’t I come here more often myself, I thought, as we looked out at the views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains still sprinkled with snow.

With more than a mile of waterfront paths, this park is one of the prettiest places in the city to exercise. Walkers, runners and bikers flock here on sunny days, but during the week it can still be uncrowded and peaceful. It’s also very stroller- and wheelchair-accessible with flat, smooth paths.

If you’re ambitious and have some time, you can connect several waterfront parks into a wonderful walk, run or bike ride. Start at the Olympic Sculpture Park and follow the paths down to the water, where Myrtle Edwards Park begins. Head north along the paths. You’ll find a sandy beach, nicely cut grass for a picnic and many benches along the way if you need a break. After about a mile and a quarter, you’ll connect to Centennial Park, which is maintained by the Port. You can keep going all the way to Magnolia and Smith Cove Park.

The park is named after former city council member (and council president) Myrtle Edwards.

By the way, this park almost didn’t happen. The Port of Seattle was opposed to a waterfront path because it wasn’t income-generating. Luckily, four Port Commissioners helped push a plan forward. It’s hard to imagine Seattle without this publicly accessible waterfront.

#345 (Visited 5/16/12)