Page 161 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

F AR THER AFIELD  159

8 Burke-Gilman
Trail
Numerous access points; main
access point at Gas Works Park.
@ 25, 43.
When the sun comes out in
Seattle, cyclists, speed-walkers,
joggers, rollerbladers, and lovers
of the outdoors flock to the
scenic Burke-Gilman Trail.
Built on an old railway bed, this
27-mile (43-km) paved trail is
used by more than one million
people each year. It is both a
popular recreation corridor and Stunning view of the Seattle skyline from Gas Works Park
a pleasant, automobile-free
commuter route for residents. Park is a scenic knoll offering vast Attracting more than a million
Although the Burke-Gilman recreational opportunities and outdoor enthusiasts a year,
Trail was extended west magnificent views of Lake Union this park is populated by as
through Fremont (see p162) and downtown Seattle. Besides many as 7,200 people a day
to 8th Avenue Northwest, it serving as a model for urban on summer weekends. While
officially begins at Gas Works renewal, the park is a haven for kayaking, windsurfing, and
Park, at the north end of Lake kite flying, kayaking, picnicking, paddleboating are popular
Union. From there, it follows and viewing the July 4 fireworks. pursuits during the warmer
the shores of Lake Washington, months, and boats can be
beginning at the University of rented at the lake, swimming
Washington and extending all may be restricted due to algae
the way to the city of Kenmore, blooms and other problems
where it connects with the caused by water stagnation.
Sammamish River Trail. Likened to New York’s Central
A warning to pedestrians: Park – albeit on a smaller scale –
bicyclists comprise roughly 80 the lake and its surrounding
percent of all trail users, making park is a lively gathering spot for
attentiveness and keeping to Seattle residents and a welcome
the right-hand side a must. recreational oasis in a high-
density urban area. In addition
to the lake, the park grounds
9 Gas Works Park include an indoor public pool,
outdoor wading pool, tennis
2101 N Northlake Way. Tel (206) 684-
4075. @ 26. Open 6am–10pm daily. courts, soccer field, outdoor
∑ seattle.gov/parks Boaters enjoying an outing on Seattle’s basketball court, baseball
Green Lake diamond, and pitch-and-putt
Huge rusty pipes and pieces golf course. The park is also
of decrepit machinery are not 0 Green Lake home to many different species
typically found in a park. But 7201 E Green Lake Dr N. Tel (206) 684- of wildlife, including ducks,
Gas Works Park on Lake Union is 4075. @ 16, 26. Open 24 hrs daily. turtles, squirrels, and eagles.
anything but typical. Established ∑ seattle.gov/parks
in 1906 as a gasification plant
by the Seattle Gas Company On any given day – and
for extracting gas from coal, especially a sunny one – Green
Gas Works was once a pri mary Lake hosts a spirited parade of
source of power for Seattle. people, from joggers, walkers,
Shut down in 1956, the plant’s cyclists, and skaters to bird-
machinery and towers stood watchers, dog walkers, and
dormant until 1975, when the pram-pushing parents.
site was renovated into an For wheeled sports, the
award-winning park under 2.8-mile (4.5-km) asphalt
the direction of landscape path circling the lake is ideal.
architect Richard Haag. With its Joggers and walkers can use
renovation, Gas Works became the adjacent 3.2-mile (5-km)
the first industrial site in the trail, which runs closest to
world to be converted into a the lake and has a crushed Jogger on the path that runs along
public park. Today, Gas Works granite surface. Green Lake

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