Join or Donate
Meet and Learn
Field Trips and Walks
Audubon BirdLoop at Marymoor Park
Discovery Park
Discovery Park is a 534 acre natural area park operated by the Seattle Parks and Recreation. It is the largest city park in Seattle, and occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site.
Getting There: The park is located at 3801 W Government Way, Seattle, WA 98199. From I-5 Northbound take the Mercer Street exit, Turn right at the first stoplight onto Fairview ave N, go left onto Valley st, stay in the far right lane that merges onto Westlake Ave N, Westlake turns into Nickerson St. Stay in the left lane on Nickerson and follow signs to the Ballard bridge/Emerson St. At the 3 way stop take a left to follow Emerson until you come to a 4 way flashing stop, go right onto W Gilman which becomes Government Way. Follow Government Way about ½ mile to the entrance, the visitors center is on the left. From I-5 South take the 45th St exit and head west. Follow 45th, it will become 46th and then Market Street. Continue on Market St until you reach 15th Ave W and take a left. Take the first right after the bridge onto Emerson St. At the 4 way flashing stop, go right onto W Gilman which becomes Government Way. Follow Government Way about ½ mile to the entrance, the visitors center is on the left.
Where to Go: Maps are available at the Environmental Learning Center. Good birding can be found on the 2.8 mile Loop Trail around the uplands through meadow, thicket, and forest. The beach area can be reached via the North Beach Trail or the South Beach Trail.
Setting: Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular view of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.
Best Time to See the Birds: Year round.
Birds Commonly Seen: A large variety of Ducks, both in salt and fresh water, Gulls, Loons, Marbled Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklets, Parasitic Jaegers, Terns, Brandts, Surfbirds, Black and Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, Red-winged Blackbirds, Swallows, Purple Martins, Green Herons, Warblers, and Sparrows.
Restrictions: Park hours are daily from 6am to 11pm and the Visitors Center is open from 8:30am to 5pm, closed on holidays.
For more information: Call 206-386-4236 http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/discovparkindex.htm, http://www.discoveryparkfriends.org/, http://www.seattle.gov/tour/discov.htm,
