Location: Northeast Seattle/Northgate
Address: 13002 10th Ave. N.E.
Acreage: 7.83
How’s that for a park name? I set out to find Thornton Creek Park #1 (curious name, since there appears to be no subsequent numbered parks), but I think I found what is now newly named the Licorice Fern Natural Area.
At first glance from this wooded residential side street, it looks like this is an inaccessible natural area. But, then I found a few plastic garden chairs tucked under a tall tree and several plastic cards identifying nearby plants, including the licorice fern.
A neighborhood group has helped create a tiny path through the thick brush that reaches to Thornton Creek where you’ll find a bench to sit and enjoy the gurgling sounds of the creek. Thornton Creek is an important waterway running for 18 miles through north Seattle. This is one of the best places I’ve found to peek at it.
#385 (Visited 9/1/13)
My childhood growing up was walking out my backdoor to go run and explore the woods which is now Licorice Fern Park. It was the most magical place and to this day I still gravitate to walking in the woods where I live today in Port Townsend. I was a lucky girl I just wish my parents never sold that house.