Do you smell that fresh, lakeside air? We are at Madrona Park. This Seattle gem offers more than just a scenic view. Madrona Park is a 31.2-acre urban escape. It sits in the heart of the Madrona neighborhood. Lake Washington Boulevard bisects it.
Imagine this park’s early days. It was one of Seattle’s “trolley parks.” Real estate developers built these parks. They wanted to lure city residents to the hinterlands. The idea was simple. People would ride trolleys to enjoy the shore. They would then buy nearby home lots. These lots were cheaper than those in Seattle’s core. This especially appealed to incoming immigrants.
J.D. Lowman decided to build a park at the end of real estate tours. In 1890, he developed a private trolley line. It ended right here at Madrona Park.
Initially, Madrona Park featured a boat dock. Benches and walking paths completed the scene. By 1892, a boathouse, small hotel, and refreshment stand appeared. Trails wound up the forested hill. Benches dotted the paths. A gazebo stood near the top.
Even with the hotel, Madrona Park felt rustic. The Olmsted Brothers included it in their boulevard plan. The city bought Madrona Park in 1908 to fulfill that vision.
After acquiring the park, the city replaced the hotel with a bathhouse. That bathhouse still stands today. In 1971, a second story transformed it into a dance studio. Today, it is home to Spectrum Dance Theater. The theater produces contemporary dance performances.
The north end of Madrona Park features a large picnic area. Old trees offer shade. Tables stand in groupings and as singles. A small stone shelter overlooks the lake. A brick building houses bathrooms and a concession stand.
The park’s center boasts the old bathhouse and swimming beach. The main bathhouse now serves as a dance studio. Changing rooms serve swimmers. There isn’t much space between the bathhouse and the water. The swimming area is quite popular though. Two docks extend into the deeper water. One even has a diving board.
South of the swimming area lies the long, narrow parking lot. Many spaces offer views of the lake. It’s a great spot to enjoy the scenery from your car.
The sweeping view from the parking area is pretty great. You can see both floating bridges. The Cascade Mountains, Bellevue, and Mt. Rainier are also visible. This is an excellent park for watching sunrises.
The city acquired the privately developed Madrona Park in 1908. In 1890, J.D. Lowman established an electric trolley line. It terminated at Madrona Park. The streetcar ran through a picturesque ravine. It was one of the most scenic trolley rides in the city.
Lowman’s real estate company added amenities. These included rustic shelters along the way. By 1892, the company had added a boathouse and a hotel. They also added a refreshment stand.
Although Madrona Park was quite successful, the owners sold it to the city in 1908. The Parks Department demolished the hotel. They began filling in the shoreline. Over the next ten years, improvements included a comfort station. Two tennis courts and a bathhouse were also added.
In 1925, the Engineering Department improved access to Madrona Park. By 1927, they replaced the wood frame bathhouse with a brick building. The bathhouses at Green Lake and Seward Parks are identical.
In 1971, a second-story addition created a Dance Studio. Currently, the bathhouse serves as the home for Spectrum Dance Theater.
Madrona Park remains a beloved Seattle treasure. It blends history, recreation, and stunning views into one unique experience.