Parks & Libraries
Header photo: ©Janice Sears
The Arboretum
Photo: ©Janice Sears
Founded in 1934, Washington Park Arboretum is a Northwest treasure. The 230-acre public park and botanical garden, designed by the Olmsted Brothers, had much of its early construction and planting carried out through the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Arboretum is well known for Azalea Way in the springtime, a stretch of the park which offers a blazing tapestry of multi-colored azaleas. The area is a popular site for strolling and is utilized by photographers and artists.
Interlaken Park
Interlaken Park is a smaller Olmstead Brothers park that forms the division between Montlake neighborhood and Capitol Hill. The 51.7-acre park is an incredibly lush and heavily-wooded area with a road winding through its valleys. Part of the road is closed to traffic. The beautiful paths and trails throughout the park are frequented by bikers, hikers, and joggers.
Montlake Playfield & Community Center
Montlake playfield is a 27-acre park on Portage Bay, which includes a children's play area, sports fields, basketball court, and tennis courts.
The newly-renovated Community Center is a facility used for youth and adult programs, with a gymnasium, a multipurpose room with kitchen, and an active pottery studio. Event programming takes place throughout the year, and summer camps are very popular.
Montlake Library
The Montlake branch of the Seattle Public Library is a 5,650-square-foot building that opened in 2006. The striking, modern glass and brick facade is a jewel along 24th Street. The building won two architecture awards: American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle Honor Award 2008, and AIA Washington Civic Design Awards, Merit Award 2008.
West Montlake Park
The West Montlake Park borders the Seattle Yacht Club and offers expansive views of Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut. It also features a colonnade of 14 restored 100-year old cast iron lampposts designed by the Olmstead brothers.
Montlake Gateway Parks
Photo: ©Janice Sears
The Montlake Gateway Parks, on the SE and SW corners of Boyer and 24th Avenue, have belonged to the Montlake Community Club since 1976. These small parks are the product of many hundreds of hours of community volunteer effort and are open to all members of the Montlake community.
The Tot Lot
The Tot Lot, newly renovated in 2023, features a small, woodland wildlife-themed climbing structure for toddlers ages 2-5. It sits at the Lynn Street entrance to the arboretum.