Did you know that O.O. Denny Park was once a private estate? Standing before this beautiful 46-acre park on the shores of Lake Washington you’re looking at the legacy of Orion Orvil Denny. He was the son of Seattle founder Arthur Denny. Orion and his wife called their estate Klahanie Chinook for “out of doors”. Following Orion’s death his widow Helen gifted this land to Seattle. It became O.O. Denny Park in 1922.
The park initially served as a campsite for Seattle children. Imagine hundreds of kids experiencing life in the green forest. They camped here. They played. They explored the trails that wind through the old-growth forest. This was Camp Denny a unique outdoor experience.
O.O. Denny Park boasts some truly remarkable trees. Grand firs black cottonwoods western hemlocks and cedars are plentiful. Many Douglas firs tower over 200 feet some of the tallest in the Seattle area. One standout is Sylvia a 600-year-old Douglas fir. It was once the largest fir in King County. Sadly a windstorm in 1993 shortened Sylvia but she remains a majestic presence.
The park’s history includes shifts in management. After 1968 King County took over from Seattle. Then in 2002 the Finn Hill Park and Recreation District assumed responsibility. Finally in 2013 Kirkland took over management. Though Kirkland manages O.O. Denny Park Seattle still owns it.
O.O. Denny Park is more than just trees and history. It’s a haven for bald eagles. It is one of four designated nesting areas in Kirkland. It’s a place where nature’s grandeur meets history’s legacy. The quiet beauty of O.O. Denny Park is a testament to the generosity of the Denny family and the enduring spirit of Seattle. It’s a park worth exploring appreciating and preserving for generations to come.