Ravenna Park — Attraction in Seattle

A great place for forest bathing, in the middle of the city! Following the main trail at the bottom of the ravine, alongside trickling Ravenna Creek, feels like a short hike in a much more remote place. During the day along the main path it feels safe enough for an older woman to walk alone...there are lots of runners, cyclists and other walkers out, so you're unlikely to be too isolated. There are lots of side paths as well, but they are less traveled, so you might feel safer with a companion. (It IS an urban environment, though, so no matter where you are in the park, be alert to your surroundings. As with anywhere in the U District, expect to see homelessness and people with mental illness.) At the west end of the trail, stop in at Cowen Park Grocery for a snack and have a picnic on the grass. Or emerge from the park on the south side of the 20th Avenue NE pedestrian-only bridge (the elegant green metal one that spans high over the creek) and stop for a fresh pastry and beverage at quirky little Seven grocery/cafe/roastery. 10 minute walk from Roosevelt Link Station, 15 minutes...

A woodland escape in the middle of Seattle

I lived right next to Ravenna Park for over a year and it may have been my favorite part of the neighborhood. The park has some open field space on one end and follows a gorge a little over a mile to another area of softball fields on the east end. The gorge is heavily forested with a gravel path suitable for running and biking along with numerous dirt paths up and down the sides of the gorge for running or walking. I spent many an afternoon taking a jog through the park or hanging my hammock up in the sunshine between trees near the fields and playground. The really amazing thing is that in the gorge the sounds of the roads and neighborhoods are blocked out and all you hear is the trickle of the brook and the wind in the trees. It really feels like you could be a hundred miles from the city in the Cascades yet you are only steps from great neighborhoods of University District...

In addition to its inextricable history as part of Seattle's formation, this park has an incredible way of bringing people together...sometimes in a kumbaya sort of way, sometimes in an incredulous Larping way and some less pleasant but more philosophical ways (neighborhood co-habitating with rising homeless populations). There are some secret-ish wooden pedestrian bridges that are hidden gems at a dead-end cul de sac, new tree species you've never noticed before, endless wildlife (including the Legend of the Ravenna Park Wolf), hummingbird nests if you observe very carefully! the most random tadpole statues ever seen, a sun dial, a rad zip line and fast merry-go-round, and SO MUCH MORE. Oh, plus two more incredible bridges, my favorite being the gorgeous classic art deco bridge on 15th ave NE..a huge applause and Thank you to our city for finally lighting that bridge via its original lighting scheme!! splendid...