UW VG 2024-25 DM Accessible - Flipbook - Page 46
Seat tle: A
Seattle:
An
nu
urban
r ba n
city
with
myriad
cit
y wit
hm
y r iad
natural s
paces
natural
spaces
By Kara Patajo and Jordan Pickett
The view from Gas Works Park is
like no other with a clear sight of the
Seattle skyline, the Space Needle,
and Lake Union all from one hill.
Sophia Li
When I first transitioned to Seattle as a UW student,
I thought I was entering a highly urban environment
and nothing else. I did not expect to discover such an
abundance of natural spaces and to my surprise and
delight, I quickly learned that my love for spending time
outdoors was not going to be restricted by living in such
a big city. In fact, there are many parks within walking
distance from the UW campus and, of course, many more
accessible by public transportation.
Gas Works Park (1.4 miles away)
One of the best parks to walk to from campus is Gas
Works Park. This spot in South Wallingford, right at the
tip of the north shore of Lake Union, provides the ideal
place to unwind, exercise, or catch a view of the sunset.
The most distinctive characteristic is the remains of the
industrial plant that used to occupy that tract of land.
In another life, before 1965, the park was the site of a
production plant for synthetic gas.
In total, Seattle is home to almost 500 parks and natural
areas. As a port city in a state famous for its breathtaking
natural wonders, Seattle offers access to a wide variety of
natural environments including beaches, lakes, forested
areas, and views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains
(both of which are only a few hours drive away).
There is a paved trail that weaves around the park and
leads to the top of Kite Hill which houses a massive
sundial and great vantage point to see the lake. Much
of the attention the park gets nowadays is due to its
spectacular views of downtown Seattle, including the
Space Needle, across from Lake Union. The lake is often
a hub of activity for sailboats, kayakers, and seaplanes.
For my fellow nature-seekers in Seattle, here is an
overview of just a few of the magnificent parks close to
campus.
46 | Around Town
There are public restrooms and concessions available
and a map of the park is available online.
