Cascade Playground

Location: Downtown/South Lake Union
Address: 333 Pontius Ave. N.
Acreage: 1.9

As more and more office buildings, condos and apartments sprout up around it, Cascade Playground creates a quiet, green space for picnics, walks and play in the South Lake Union neighborhood.

The large flat playfield dominates this park, with restrooms at one end and picnic tables dotted around. A short nature trail is nicely planted with native bushes and trees.

Two great play structures are a reason to bring kids to explore this park. One is meant for younger kids and includes a sandbox area. The other cool climber for older kids even has directions for how to play “hot lava,” although I think kids have figured out this favorite playground game without any help from adults.

A P-patch and the Cascade People’s Center sit adjacent to the park and also invite visitors to explore. I liked the quirky garden art mixed among the vegetable beds.

If you are in the neighborhood, take the opportunity to walk to the fantastic Lake Union Park, which has recently been completely redone.

#370 (Visited 2/5/13)