Evergreen Park — Attraction in Bellevue

Ah, let me tell you about Evergreen Park. Or as the locals call it, “Digger Park.” Which sounds like a place where construction equipment goes to retire. But no, it used to have two little mechanical diggers in a sandbox the size of a small moon. Kids would spend hours out there, just digging holes like they were trying to find oil or escape Shawshank. It was beautiful.

Then about five years ago, the city came in and said, “Hey, what if we made this safer and less like a lawsuit waiting to happen?” So they upgraded the playground. Took out the diggers. Took out the metal slide from the 1970s that doubled as a griddle in the summer and a cheese grater in the winter. That slide taught you pain. It built character. It also removed skin.

Now the playground’s modern. There are two separate play areas, which I assume is so kids can pick sides and start a turf war. There’s a basketball court with one hoop. Just one. It’s like the city said, “We believe in basketball, but not that much.” (See my separate review titled “One Hoop, Infinite dreams.”

“Look, I get it. The new playground is sleek. It’s got that soft flooring that feels like a yoga mat and doesn’t give you gravel knees. But I still miss the diggers. Those little machines taught kids grit. Literally. I saw a toddler build a trench so deep, I thought he was trying to reach the aquifer. We lost something that day. We gained safety, sure—but we lost the dream of municipal excavation.” — Parks Department intern Tyler “Trowel” Jensen, unofficial Digger Park historian, who’s been with the city for seven summers and still wears his “I Dig Digger Park” button like it’s a badge of honor.

This is a neighborhood park, which means if you don’t live within walking distance, you better be good at parallel parking or emotionally prepared to go home. There are four parking spots. Four. That’s not a typo. That’s a challenge.

There’s a bathroom that’s open seasonally, which I think means it’s open when the city remembers it exists. And there’s a ton of grassy area with shade from Douglas fir trees, which are like the wise old men of the forest. You sit under one and just feel like you’re about to learn something.

The best part? The people. You’ll see everyone here. Teenagers pretending they’re not being watched. Little kids with their nannies who are definitely being watched. Families with picnic blankets and snacks that will be stolen by squirrels. Star-crossed lovers sitting under trees like they’re in a Taylor Swift song. It’s a whole ecosystem.

Evergreen Park is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re in a small town, even if you’re not. It’s got history, it’s got shade, and it’s got just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Five stars....

It's a charming little park to be in with your little ones. Has structures on the park for kids to play. A lovely soccer field, lacrosse field and a bunch of huge soccer fields around the back and tennis courts. And the kids can go around biking all around. Some beautiful trees to lie under to bask in the sunshine. Overall loved this park on a cozy...

It’s green, lush grass and landscaping, but it’s a small park cut into 2 sections. Theres a basketball 🏀 court and structures for kids to play. Theres 2 amazing playgrounds and a real restroom, water fountain and 5 parking 🅿️ spaces with 1...