Gazing upon Ravenna Creek, can you imagine it once flowed all the way to Green Lake? Today, Ravenna Creek meanders peacefully through the lush greenery of Ravenna and Cowen Parks in Seattle. Its journey, spanning nearly 3,500 feet, is a testament to nature’s resilience amidst urban development. This seemingly tranquil creek holds a fascinating history. It once served as a vital waterway, connecting Green Lake to Lake Washington’s Union Bay. But the city’s growth and the lowering of the lakes in the early 20th century drastically altered its course. The creek’s path between Green Lake and Cowen Park vanished. The connection to Union Bay was also lost. Now, Ravenna Creek is reborn from a wetland in Cowen Park’s northwest corner, nourished by springs throughout Ravenna Park. It’s also joined by a second branch, further enriching its flow. Before 2006, the creek’s journey ended abruptly at a sewer grate. A daylighting project in 2006 breathed new life into Ravenna Creek. It was freed from the sewer system and its bed extended, reconnecting it to Lake Washington through a pipeline that flows into University Slough. Sadly, Ravenna Creek hasn’t been without its challenges. In 2008, a massive sewage spill, caused by nearby utility work, contaminated its waters. Despite this setback, Ravenna Creek continues to flow, a symbol of nature’s persistence in the heart of the city. It offers a place of serenity and a reminder of Seattle’s evolving relationship with its natural surroundings.
Queen Anne Boulevard
“A scenic loop,” they called it. Queen Anne Boulevard gracefully winds around the crest of Queen Anne Hill. It offers