Watershed Park Nature Walk

Kirkland Watershed Park is more than 70 acres of mostly upland second growth forest. There is some riparian habitat, and an old gravel barrow pit.  Nancy Jensen and I have been compiling a plant list over the last year, now totaling over 60 species. More than 40 bird species and over 60 plant species have been recorded in the park. We have also observed other small wildlife in the park. 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.

From 108th Avenue N.E., turn onto N.E. 45th Street. Meet at the trailhead at N.E. 45th Street and 110th Avenue N.E. N.E. 45th Street is about 1 mile north of South Kirkland Park & Ride, and is served by Metro bus routes 234 and 255 and Sound Transit bus route 540. Saturday service on 234 and 540 is hourly, on 255 half-hourly. There is limited on-street parking. Please do not block anyone’s mailboxes.

Watershed Park is one of the “targets” of the Green Kirkland Partnership initiative, a cooperative effort between the City of Kirkland 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. During the spring-fall Green Kirkland Partnership season (May-September in 2008), a porta-potty is maintained at the entrance closest to that year’s work area. 

The 2008 Green Kirkland work parties at Watershed Park have concluded for the season. 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.

Leader: Jan Johnson  425-814-5923