Dearborn Park

Location: Seattle.

Length: About a quarter-mile of forest trails extends to a grassy knoll and meadow.

Level of difficulty: Level-to-moderate bark/dirt trails and grass.

Setting: This lush, little 2.6 acres of deciduous forest offers a pleasant pocket of nature in the city. A quiet spot thick with birdsong, it harbors a seasonal stream, and bigleaf maples and alders that shade a landscape of small ravines and hummocks. The wide variety of native plants make it worthwhile to pack a plant guidebook. A trail passing by a currently blooming apple tree leads out of the forest up to a broad grassy hill and meadow underneath power lines with a distant view of the Cascades. Back in the forest, this same trail holds a parading line of horsetails. Down the hill on the other side of the school is a short trail to a small wetland.

Highlights: The park was developed by schoolchildren and staff from adjacent Dearborn Elementary School, and Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Trust for Public Land, EarthCorps and other groups. School classes regularly participate in stewardship of the land by planting native plants (note the labeled patches), removing invasive species, and helping with trail restoration. The forest is used for environmental education in other Beacon Hill schools. There are plans to expand the park, including adding signs and additional artwork.

Facilities: None.

Restrictions: No pets on forest trails.

Directions: Northbound on Interstate 5, take Exit 163 and bear right on South Columbia Way, which merges briefly with 15th Street, and then veers off to the left at the curve. Turn right on Beacon Avenue South, and at the stop sign, turn left on South Orcas Street. In a few blocks, turn left into the school driveway. From southbound I-5, take Exit 163A, merge onto South Columbian Way, and proceed as above.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company