Carkeek Park

Way off in the residential northwest corner of Seattle, Carkeek Park is a strange bit of wilderness. Paths through the forest cut the park off from the city, then open onto a long meadow by babbling Piper's Creek. Marshland with wooden footbridges cuts the meadow off from the beach, but if you climb to the spacious children's play area, you can walk across the metal footbridge for spectacular views and access to a calm, splashing beach. Be careful because trains run though here loud and fast. The wind here is great for kite flying. The meadows are filled with picnic tables, and the winding trails on the woodsy hillside are often too enticing to resist.