Join or Donate
Meet and Learn
Field Trips and Walks
Audubon BirdLoop at Marymoor Park
Watershed Park
Kirkland Watershed Park is about 70 acres of mostly upland second growth forest. There is some riparian habitat, and an old gravel barrow pit. The plant list compiled to date has 89 species, the bird list species is now 46 species. Wildlife species includes the native Douglas squirrel, eastern gray squirrel, eastern cottontail, and black-tailed deer
Nature Walks
Join us for a 2 1/2 to 3-hour leisurely nature walk in this southwest Kirkland park. We meet at 1:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month (new day and time). We welcome plant lovers, beginning birders, families, and anyone who just wants to take a pleasant walk. While we are always on the lookout for woodland birds, we will focus on learning the basic native woodland plants and having a wonderful woodland walk. There is no charge for guests.
History
The area was preserved as second growth forest because Cochrane Spring was the water source for Kirkland until Kirkland joined the Seattle water district in 1967. Old fire hydrants and an old, but now dry, reservoir are still extant in the park. The reservoir has a peace sign carved into it by local residents who yearly clear plants off the old asphalt in the shape of that symbol. There are several wooden signs showing the existing trails, and several benches are scattered throughout the park. Except for the trails and volunteer maintenance, the park is undeveloped.
Work Parties
Watershed Park is one of the "targets" of the Green Kirkland Partnership initiative, a cooperative effort between the city and Cascade Land Conservancy. Through this program, invasive plant removal efforts have cleared some designated parts of the park and native plant species have been planted.
Other service group efforts have contributed maintenance and plantings over the years. Currently, several studies sites are in the park: one by a local high school student in the old gravel pit, one on different removal methods for yellow archangel, one nesting bird survey tying re: native and non native plants.
Directions
From 108th Avenue NE, turn east at NE 45th Street. NE 45th Street ends at 110th Avenue NE. Meet at the trailhead at this intersection.
Southbound on 108th Avenue NE, NE 45th is about two blocks south of Phyllis A Needy Playfield.
N.E. 45th Street is about 1 mile north of South Kirkland Park & Ride and is served by Metro bus routes 234 and 255. Saturday service on 234 is hourly, on 255 half-hourly. There is limited on-street parking. Please do not block anyone’s mailboxes. Kirkland park and street map
