Bellevue, Washington is a city that is known for its beautiful parks. With over 2,700 acres of parks and open space, there are plenty of options for nature lovers to explore. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to relax or a family-friendly spot to enjoy a picnic, Bellevue has something for everyone.

One of the most popular parks in Bellevue is the Bellevue Downtown Park. This 21-acre park is located in the heart of the city and features a large reflecting pond, a charming canal, and a number of walking paths. Another great option is the Mercer Slough Nature Park, which offers visitors the chance to explore wetlands, forests, and meadows. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including beavers, otters, and birds.

Other notable parks in Bellevue include the Kelsey Creek Farm Park, which is a working farm that offers visitors the chance to see farm animals up close, and the Lake Hills Greenbelt Park, which features a network of trails that wind through forests and wetlands. No matter what kind of outdoor experience you’re looking for, Bellevue has a park that is sure to meet your needs.

Top Rated Parks in Bellevue

Bellevue, Washington, is home to several beautiful parks that offer a wide range of outdoor activities and scenic views. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax, play sports, or enjoy nature, Bellevue has something for everyone. Here are some of the top-rated parks in Bellevue:

Downtown Park

Downtown Park is a 21-acre park located in the heart of Bellevue. It features a large reflecting pond, a waterfall, a canal, and several walking paths. The park is a popular spot for picnics, concerts, and other events. It also includes a playground, a basketball court, and a tennis court. Downtown Park is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Bellevue.

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue Botanical Garden is a 53-acre garden that features several different types of gardens, including a Japanese garden, a rock garden, and a water-wise garden. The garden is a popular spot for weddings, photography, and other events. It also includes a visitor center, a gift shop, and several walking paths. Bellevue Botanical Garden is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city.

Crossroads Park

Crossroads Park is a 34-acre park that features several sports fields, a skate park, a playground, and a water spray park. The park also includes a community center, a library, and a farmers market. Crossroads Park is a popular spot for families and sports enthusiasts.

Kelsey Creek Park

Kelsey Creek Park is a 150-acre park that features several hiking trails, a farm, and a playground. The park is a popular spot for picnics, hiking, and bird watching. It also includes a community center, a picnic shelter, and a barn. Kelsey Creek Park is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Wilburton Hill Park

Wilburton Hill Park is a 122-acre park that features several hiking trails, a playground, and a picnic area. The park also includes a dog park, a community center, and a basketball court. Wilburton Hill Park is a popular spot for hiking and enjoying scenic views of the city.

In conclusion, Bellevue has several beautiful parks that offer a wide range of outdoor activities and scenic views. Whether you’re looking for a place to relax, play sports, or enjoy nature, Bellevue has something for everyone.

Park Amenities and Facilities

Playgrounds and Picnic Areas

Bellevue parks offer a variety of playgrounds and picnic areas for families and friends to enjoy. Bellevue Downtown Park features a large playground with a variety of equipment suitable for children of all ages. There are also several picnic areas throughout the park that are perfect for a family outing or a small gathering with friends. Wilburton Hill Park is another great option for families with young children, as it offers a tot-sized zipline, slides, and swings. The park also has several picnic tables and benches available for use.

Walking and Biking Trails

Bellevue’s parks and open spaces offer over 80 miles of trails for walking, running, and biking. The Lake to Lake Trail is a popular option for those looking for a scenic walk or bike ride. The trail connects Lake Sammamish to Lake Washington and passes through several parks along the way. Additionally, the Coal Creek Trail is a great option for those looking for a longer hike or bike ride. The trail is 3.7 miles long and features beautiful views of the surrounding forests.

Sports Fields and Courts

Bellevue parks offer a variety of sports fields and courts for residents to enjoy. Robinswood Community Park features several soccer fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts. The park also has a baseball field and a volleyball court. Eastgate Park is another great option for sports enthusiasts, as it has several soccer fields and a baseball field. The park also has a basketball court and a skate park.

Off-Leash Dog Areas

Bellevue parks offer several off-leash dog areas for residents to enjoy with their furry friends. Robinswood Community Park features a large off-leash dog area that is fully fenced and has several benches for owners to sit on. Lakemont Community Park also has an off-leash dog area that is fully fenced and features a variety of agility equipment for dogs to play on. Additionally, Bellevue Downtown Park has a small off-leash dog area that is perfect for a quick play session with your pup.

Overall, Bellevue’s parks offer a variety of amenities and facilities for residents to enjoy. From playgrounds and picnic areas to walking and biking trails, sports fields and courts, and off-leash dog areas, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Bellevue’s parks.

Seasonal Activities in Bellevue Parks

Bellevue parks offer a variety of seasonal activities throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy outdoor concerts, festivals, and movie nights during the summer months, while winter brings fun holiday events and light displays.

Summer Concerts and Events

Bellevue parks host a number of summer concerts and events, providing visitors with a chance to enjoy live music and entertainment in a beautiful outdoor setting. The Bellevue Downtown Park is a popular venue for outdoor concerts, with a large open space and a stage that hosts a variety of musical acts throughout the summer. Other parks, such as Robinswood Community Park and Crossroads Park, also offer summer concert series.

In addition to concerts, Bellevue parks also host a number of festivals and events during the summer. The Bellevue Arts Museum hosts the Bellevue Arts Fair, which features over 300 artists and craftspeople from around the country. The Bellevue Strawberry Festival is another popular event, featuring live music, food vendors, and a classic car show.

Winterlight Festivities

During the winter months, Bellevue parks are transformed into magical wonderlands with festive light displays and holiday events. The Bellevue Botanical Garden hosts the Garden d’Lights, a stunning light display featuring over half a million sparkling lights. The Downtown Park also hosts a holiday tree lighting ceremony, complete with carolers and hot cocoa.

Outdoor Movie Nights

Bellevue parks also offer outdoor movie nights during the summer months, providing visitors with a chance to enjoy a movie under the stars. The Bellevue Downtown Park hosts a series of movies in the park, featuring family-friendly films and classic favorites. Crossroads Park also offers outdoor movie nights, with a variety of films to choose from.

Overall, Bellevue parks offer a variety of seasonal activities for visitors to enjoy throughout the year. From summer concerts and festivals to winter light displays and outdoor movie nights, there is always something fun and exciting happening in Bellevue parks.

Conservation and Wildlife

Bellevue, Washington is home to several parks that offer a range of conservation and wildlife viewing opportunities. Here are some of the best parks to visit for those interested in experiencing nature and wildlife in Bellevue.

Native Plant Areas

One of the best parks to visit for native plant areas is the Bellevue Botanical Garden. The garden is home to over 10 acres of cultivated gardens, natural wetlands, and restored woodlands. Visitors can stroll through the gardens and observe a variety of native plants, including ferns, mosses, and wildflowers. The garden also offers guided tours and educational programs for visitors of all ages.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Bellevue is home to several parks that offer great wildlife viewing opportunities. The Coal Creek Natural Area is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. It features a 5.1-mile trail that winds through the woods and past several old coal mining sites. Visitors can observe a variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and birds of prey.

Another great park for wildlife viewing is the Mercer Slough Nature Park. The park is home to over 320 acres of wetlands, forests, and meadows. Visitors can explore the park on foot, by bike, or by canoe and observe a variety of wildlife, including beavers, otters, herons, and eagles.

Overall, Bellevue’s parks offer a variety of conservation and wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re interested in observing native plants or wildlife, there’s a park in Bellevue that’s perfect for you.

Park Accessibility

Bellevue, Washington, is a city that values inclusivity and accessibility. The parks in Bellevue are no exception, with many of them featuring ADA accessible features and public transportation options to make them easily accessible to everyone.

ADA Accessible Features

Bellevue has made significant efforts to ensure that its parks are accessible to people with disabilities. Many of the parks in Bellevue feature ADA accessible features such as:

• Paved trails and walkways
• Accessible restrooms
• Accessible parking spaces
• Accessible picnic tables and benches
• Wheelchair-accessible playground equipment
• Braille signage

These features make it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy the parks in Bellevue just as much as everyone else.

Public Transportation Options

Bellevue’s parks are easily accessible by public transportation. The city’s public transportation system, King County Metro, offers several routes that stop near popular parks such as Bellevue Downtown Park and Wilburton Hill Park. Additionally, many parks in Bellevue are located near major roads and highways, making them easy to reach by car or bike.

Overall, Bellevue’s parks are designed to be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability or mode of transportation. With ADA accessible features and public transportation options, everyone can enjoy the beauty and serenity of Bellevue’s parks.

Community Involvement

Bellevue’s parks and recreational facilities are the heart of the community, and the city encourages residents to get involved in their development and maintenance. There are various ways to participate, from volunteering to attending public meetings.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Parks & Community Services Department offers a range of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups. Volunteers can assist with park cleanups, trail maintenance, and special events. The city also partners with local organizations, such as the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, to provide additional volunteer opportunities.

Volunteering in Bellevue’s parks is a great way to give back to the community while enjoying the outdoors. Volunteers gain valuable skills, meet new people, and make a positive impact on the environment.

Park Development and Maintenance

Bellevue’s Parks & Community Services Department is responsible for the development and maintenance of over 2,700 acres of parks and open space land. The department works to ensure that the city’s parks are safe, clean, and accessible to all residents.

The city regularly seeks input from residents on park development and improvement projects. Public meetings are held to gather feedback and ideas from the community. The department also provides updates on park projects and initiatives through its website and social media channels.

In addition to public input, the Parks & Community Services Department works with local organizations and businesses to fund park development and improvement projects. For example, the Bellevue Downtown Association partnered with the city to fund the renovation of Downtown Park.

Overall, community involvement is essential to the success of Bellevue’s parks and recreational facilities. By volunteering and providing feedback, residents can help ensure that the city’s parks remain vibrant and accessible for generations to come.