Mercer Island offers a variety of park experiences: a Lake Washington shoreline, wetlands with diverse birdlife, forest trails, open landscapes, outdoor art and cycling routes. If you’re planning a stay, you can start by considering which of these landscapes and activities interest you most. The following places offer specific ideas, from water activities to forest trails.
Shoreline, Wetlands and Birdlife
Luther Burbank Park has 0.75 miles of shoreline on Lake Washington. Wetlands at the northern and southern ends are home to, among other wildlife, 135 bird species and 50 species of waterfowl. This makes birdlife a key natural feature alongside the shoreline. Facilities for swimming, boating and fishing are available for water activities. This focus sets the park apart from places known primarily for forest trails, art or cycling.
Forest Trails and Open Landscapes
Pioneer Park is a 113-acre forest with 6.6 miles of trails. Steep ravines, small wooded wetlands and a stream are also part of its landscape. The trails pass through a forest whose terrain is shaped by these varied features. If you’re looking to combine a day in nature with hiking, this offers a different experience from the Lake Washington shoreline.
Island Crest Park offers hiking through open landscapes. The difference from Pioneer Park lies in the surroundings: there, forests, ravines, wetlands and a stream shape the scenery; here, it’s open spaces.
Sculptures, Boat Dock and Local History
Aubrey Davis Park is home to the Mountains to Sound Greenway (I-90) Trail, the Greta Hackett Outdoor Sculpture Gallery and a boat dock. Within one park, a named trail, outdoor art and a boating facility appeal to different interests. If you’d like to include sculpture alongside nature, the gallery offers a specific point of interest for your plans.
Clarke Beach has fishing and swimming piers. It was formerly the site of Girl Scout Camp Tarywood. At Clarke Beach, the piers as present-day park features sit alongside an explicit connection to the past. This sets the site apart from both the forest trails at Pioneer Park and the sculpture gallery at Aubrey Davis Park.
Cycling Routes and Visitor Planning
The Bike Skills Area includes cycling routes for beginners and advanced riders, with jumps and other features. It is open for use daily from sunrise to sunset; closures due to weather or repairs are possible. Check current operating information before your visit. Its focus on cycling is distinct from the hiking trails and water-related park amenities.
Nature and hiking, outdoor art and cycling each offer a different way to spend your free time.
Discover more destinations: Federal Way, Des Moines, Baring, Vashon Island, Auburn, Kirkland, Bellevue, Kenmore.
Go to the broader travel overview: King.
