Seward Park, Seattle

Seward Park gets its name from the park that the neighborhood centers on—and for good reason too, it’s one of the biggest parks in the city! The park itself has a network of trails used by hikers, bikers, and walkers. The woodsy areas are full of trees, but open areas for picnics and an amphitheater are also present. Geographically located on a peninsula that juts into Lake Washington, the shorelines and beaches are pristine and active with beach goers.

Most of the neighborhood is a quiet residential area with historic homes and a tightly knit community of neighbors who have lived here for years—in no small part a product of the presence of some of the oldest and most active synagogues in Seattle. There are some smaller businesses that reflect the diversity of backgrounds and elasticities that have settled in here and most notable are an Asian and Jewish influence, but prevalence doesn’t mean limitation—you’ll find anything from Mexican to Greek to Indian to Thai to Somali influences in the businesses and citizenry.

Seward Park is a regular stop for public transportation, and the light rail that runs into SeaTac Airport and downtown makes this area very accessible for both residents and visitors.

The Seward Park neighborhood of southeast Seattle is named for Seward Park, one of the largest and oldest parks in the city. The 300 acre park is home to beautiful old growth trees, beaches, picnic areas, an ampitheater. and many miles of biking, walking, and hiking trails. The area first became a city park in 1911, and occupies all of Bailey Peninsula, jutting into Lake Washington. Although it is one of the most popular parks in Seattle, it is very spread out, so it never feels crowded.

The Seward Park neighborhood grew up around the western edge of the park. Seward Park is very diverse, with large populations of African American and Asian American residents. The neighborhood is home to the oldest synagogue in Washington, and has long been known as a center of Orthodox Jewish life. Most of Seward Park is a quiet residential neighborhood, filled with large historic homes. Most families living in Seward Park stay here for many years, and the community is very friendly. Besides beautiful homes, there are also many small shops and ethnic restaurants here. Both the park and the surrounding neighborhood are known as safe and quiet places for families, couples, pets, and retirees.

There are only a few places that can claim unique beauty in a metropolitan area. Seward Park is most known for the recreation area on the Bailey Peninsula. A gigantic area of 300 acres, with half of the acreage covered in old growth forest. So if you are curious as to how a slice of Seattle looked 250 years ago, take a day trip here.

The park features a small beach, plenty of walking/biking trails and a multitude of picnic areas. Last year our family and friends reserved a large site for the afternoon, feeling pleasantly isolated even amidst the busy weekend on the grounds.

This neighborhood is bound roughly by Alaska Street to the north, Rainier Avenue to the West, Kenyon Street to the South and Lake Washington (and the Seward Park) to the East. This place is not demographically outdated by any means. Diversity rules, as it is home to a large number of African Americans, Asians and Jews. In fact, there are a couple of old, yet active synagogues near the center of the community.

Large, historic homes can be found along Seward Park Avenue. I have had the privilege of cycling through this area on occasion, surprised by new sights each ride. Close access to Lake Washington, the park and downtown make this a desirable location for anyone.

A picture of the diversity can, of course, be found in the eating establishments. Here are a few...

Shangani Restaurant (Somali Food)
Alcatraz (Mexican)
Cafe Huongviet
King Chicken and Gyros
Thao Thanh Restaurant
Saffron

This time of year gears up for the Seafair event in Seattle (A month long celebration with various activities around the city). Seward Park holds a prominent place by hosting the hydroplane boating event. Also, viewing the Blue Angels air show from here is a coveted experience. If you own a boat and can get permission, anchoring off the peninsula amplifies the observance because the jets hover just a couple hundred feet off the water on each pass.

Transportation is strong in this locale, especially into downtown and to SeaTac Airport. Light rail started service last year and runs along Martin Luther King Jr Way, for easy access to either destination.

Whether you are spending several hours in this neighborhood or just passing through to work or another recreational destination, you will be swept up with the blends of ancient and contemporary.

Something like 72 languages are spoken in the Seward Park area, this ethnically diverse area is home one of the oldest synagogues in the state and host a remarkable cultural diversity. It’s one of the only places I’ve been in Seattle that seems truly diverse. However, one of its greatest treasures is the park which in 277-acres host a range of animal and plant species including an area of old-growth forests, active bald eagle nests and the barely two-year old Audubon Center.

The Audubon Center makes Seward Park not only an ethnically diverse neighborhood, but an environmental Mecca. Finished in 2008 the Tudor-style house at the entrance of Seward Park features a nature and education center that holds environmental classes for schools and underserved youths, adult bird-watching activities and a variety of other environmental projects and classes. The center itself is stunning and a great addition to the park and its many trails and paths. In almost any kind of weather you can find people walking or jogging around the paved loop which is about 2.4 miles through wilderness and by part of Lake Washington. And if after taking in all that nature wasn’t enough I recommend dining at the Flying Squirrel Pizza Company, which is a funky and fun pizza place that has a true neighborhood pub feel.

Seward Park is a home to herons, eagles, and a wooded peninsula. It is one of Seattle’s local treasures. The park itself is the peninsula, and it comes chalked full of tennis courts, fishing docks, walking trails, and a public swimming beach.

Like most out-of-the-way neighborhoods, Seward Park has a tight-knit community feel, a strong ethnic diversity and a style that mixes old charm with contemporary remodels. Houses start on the outskirt of the park. Residences run the gamut: Tudor, family, brick, stucco, mid-century and modern. Many of them are multi-storied to catch the views from the hills. There are homes in bright primary colors, and yards with sprawling rock gardens, bulging hydrangeas and rose bushes. The best recommendation is that home turnover rate is low.

The commercial section of Seward Park is small but resourceful. There’s a PCC along with some private businesses and local eateries. The neighborhood is a star attraction during the summer. People come here for Seward Park’s swimming beach and the Seafair festivities which include hydroplane races. The park is circled by a paved path, and a number of sports events are held here—from a 5K run for owners and their dogs, to triathlons and weeknight criterion bike rides. The park also has an amphitheater and hosts a number of cultural celebrations.