Seattle gem sparkles even in winter

Seward Park is always delightful, but I especially enjoy the park in winter. It's situated at the end of Lake Washington Boulevard South and is easy to get to on those all-too-short days in January. However, you might not get that far as there are several other regional parks and historical points of interest along the way.

The parks scattered along the boulevard have been likened to a string of pearls, connected by a paved path that follows the lakeshore between Seward Park and Madrona Park. There are views of the lake, the Interstate 90 bridge, colorful clusters of boats near Leschi and Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. You can walk, bike or jog from park to park.

Seward Park is a part of the Olmsted brothers' legacy. They developed plans for Seattle's parks, and in 1911 the city purchased Bailey Peninsula for recreational purposes. The park was named for William H. Seward, a former secretary of state.

The Lake Washington shoreline was lowered by nine feet when the Lake Washington ship canal opened. The shoreline was graded for a loop road around the peninsula and ornamental plants were planted along the shore. A bathhouse was constructed in 1927 and fish-rearing ponds were built in the 1930s. In 1953, an amphitheater was carved out of a hillside and served for many years as the scene for musical events.

There are about six miles of hiking trails in the park. Pick up a map at the nature center (near the main entrance) or download a map from the Seattle Parks and Recreation Web site that shows the trails in detail. The map will help you design a hike, whether you walk through old-growth forest or stroll along the shoreline. Or both. For the best tour, walk or bike the paved trail around the peninsula.

Seward Park is a regional treasure with a splendid example of urban old-growth forest. The forest stands on the northern two-thirds of the Bailey Peninsula. Douglas fir is the dominant tree but you also will see western red cedar, madrona, western hemlock and bigleaf maples.

Tree-ring dating on trees cut earlier in the century reveal that this forest burned in the 1490s and may have burned again in the early 1800s.

Shrubbery includes salmonberry, elderberry, thimbleberry, hazelnut, Indian plum, sword fern, Cascade Oregon grape and a significant population of poison oak (identified by signs).

Mink frequented the forest until they were trapped in 1941. Today the forest is home to raccoons, beavers, deer mice, western screech owls, bald eagles, woodpeckers and dozens of other birds. The lakeshore is frequented by river otters, beavers, muskrats, turtles, fish and waterfowl.

If you go

* Getting there -- Anyone who visits this park and others along Lake Washington Boulevard on a frequent basis has a favorite route. Here's mine: From Seattle, take Denny Way and head toward Capitol Hill. At 15th Avenue East, turn right. At a four-way stop (about four blocks from Denny) turn left, uphill, as the road makes a little jog and provides a left-hand turn lane onto East Madison Street. Continue on East Madison to Lake Washington Boulevard East and turn right. This road winds past Bush School (on your right), then heads down toward the lake. At a stop sign, continue to the lake as Washington Boulevard East becomes Lake Washington Boulevard. The road curves, following the shoreline to a stop sign and bus turnaround at Madrona Street (1.3 miles from East Madison). You will pass Madrona Park shortly before you get to Leschi. Past Leschi, the road becomes Lakeside Avenue South and just past Leschi you will come to Day Street Park at the Interstate 90 bridge. At 2.3 miles from East Madison, you will come to Mount Baker Park. This is a small park with a pier and a good place to park if you are hiking or biking the lakeshore toward Seward Park. There also are pullouts along the road. At 3.3 miles is Genesee Park, a small city park with a meadow under restoration, soccer fields, and an off-leash area for dogs. To get there, turn right onto 43rd Avenue South and park on the left side of 43rd Avenue South. Stan Sayres Park is across the street from Genesee Park on Lakeside Avenue South. Continue two miles to Seward Park -- as you proceed, Lakeside Avenue South becomes Lake Washington Boulevard South.

The entrance to Seward Park is at 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S. From the entrance, turn left for the nature center, a restroom, an art studio and a bathing beach. For hiking trails, continue on this road to trailhead parking on the forested peninsula. You also can turn right at the park entrance and find additional parking along Lake Washington near a picnic shelter and the other end of the paved loop around the peninsula.

* Trail data -- There are about six miles of trails in Seward Park; elevation gain is minimal.

* Information -- Pick up a map at the nature center or print out a map and driving directions from the Seattle Parks and Recreation Web site at http://www.cityofseattle.net/html/citizen/parks.htm Another interesting Web site is the Friends of Seward Park at www.sewardpark.net From that site you can print out plant and bird lists, read more about the flora and fauna of the park or volunteer for a work party. Visit the Seattle Parks and Recreation Web site for information on other parks mentioned in this story.

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