Beneath the roar of Interstate 5 lies a hidden world. This is the East Duwamish Greenbelt also known as The Jungle. It’s a place of stark contrasts. A wild urban forest clinging to the western slope of Beacon Hill. For decades the East Duwamish Greenbelt has been a haven for the homeless. A place where tents and makeshift shelters huddle beneath the freeway overpasses. The area’s history is long and complex. Homeless people may have used this land since the 1930s. The city periodically cleared the encampments in the 1990s. This led to complaints about a lack of warning before cleanups. Tragically the East Duwamish Greenbelt has also witnessed crime. Assaults rapes prostitution and murders have all occurred here. The bodies of three women murdered by a serial killer were even found in this area. In 2016 a shooting resulted in two deaths and three injuries. This increased pressure to close the encampment. The city and state attempted cleanups. They aimed to resettle those living there. Yet new encampments have formed. The cycle continues. Despite the challenges the East Duwamish Greenbelt is also a space of natural beauty. Maple trees blackberry brambles and vines create a dense urban forest. Rodents and birds thrive among the thick undergrowth. In 2011 an attempt to revitalize the area included the creation of a paved path. Lighting and fences were also added. The Mountain to Sound bike corridor now runs through the Greenbelt. The East Duwamish Greenbelt remains a complex and compelling place. A testament to the resilience of nature and the enduring struggles of those without homes. A place that is both beautiful and heartbreaking. A story written in the very fabric of the urban landscape. Its history echoes in the rustling leaves and shadows of this place.
Queen Anne Boulevard
“A scenic loop,” they called it. Queen Anne Boulevard gracefully winds around the crest of Queen Anne Hill. It offers