This page provides updates and corrections for the book Eastside Seattle Walks, available on Amazon or ask your favorite local bookstore to order it for you.
The Eastside is still moving forward with changes and new development...some impacting the route descriptions in my book, Eastside Seattle Walks. I regularly watch for community news and rewalk the routes; I'll list updates and additions here as I discover them.
Latest updates as of October 29, 2024
Downtown Bellevue: A new entrance area is now open at the northeast corner of Downtown Bellevue Park, at Bellevue Way NE and NE 4th St. This entrance provides better access to the formal garden area, the multipart Piloti sculpture that you can walk through, and an interesting lighted water feature.
As you’re walking through old Bellevue, look for history wraps on traffic signal boxes at these corners:
- Southwest corner of Bellevue Way and Main St.
- Northeast corner of 102nd NE and NE 1st St.
- Southeast corner of 100th NE and Main St.
At Meydenbauer Beach Park, look for a tile mural illustrating beach activity in the early 20th century, located in the covered areas next to the park restrooms and the lifeguard office.
Bellevue Botanical Garden: The new Native Discovery Garden trail is now open along the south side of the large bog area. As you enter this trail from the west loop, look for a large basalt sculpture that makes a great spot for taking a selfie or a photo of family and friends.
The Bellhop shuttle offers a free, on-demand ride to the garden from many downtown locations. Info: https://www.visitbellevuewa.com/bellhop/
Bothell Downtown: The bridge over the Sammamish River at Bothell Landing Park has been rebuilt in a new location, a short walk east of the history museum buildings. Walk east along the sidewalk to access. If the museum buildings are closed, you can still learn from the window displays in the Hannan House.
At the southeast corner of Main St. and 102nd Ave. NE, get a glimpse of local history in remnants of the original brick façade and a replica of the painted sign for the Bothell Cooperative Mercantile Company. A sign on the north side of the building tells the story behind this community store, built on this site in 1908.
Bothell UW Bothell/Cascadia College campus: The group of life-size carved wood sculptures previously installed in a forested area behind the main campus buildings has been put into storage due to construction. The forest trail uphill may no longer be accessible; look for stairs and sidewalk access on the south end of campus or drive to the parking lot on the south side of the Truly House.
Carnation: The garden and bus shelter at the Tolt Commons area have been removed. While walking along Tolt Avenue, look for a colorful mural depicting the nearby river, bridges, and farms painted on a boarded-up commercial building on the west side. Another mural is visible on a restaurant on the east side of the street.
Duvall: Look for a work of public art near the path into McCormick Park, just to the west of the historic Duvall depot. The three carved posts illustrate elements of the local community. Also read the nearby information signs about Snoqualmie Valley history and nature.
In the small park area on the south side of the depot, look for a few signs illustrating local nature. Along Main Street, the lamp posts with wood art panels display a QR code that links to information about the art and artist.
Fall City: A new mural shows views of local scenery from Mount Rainier to the Snoqualmie River as it reaches town. Look for it in the small art park area on the south side of Redmond-Fall City Rd. at 335th Pl. SE. A few businesses in town have also commissioned murals for their buildings; look for these as you walk east along the sidewalk in the main commercial area.
The totem pole has been removed from the garden next to the library, but a small sculpture of swimming salmon remains among the planted areas. The home at the corner of SE 43rd Pl. and 335th Pl. SE that had chainsaw art in its front yard has been replaced by a new building.
Issaquah: While you are at the Issaquah Senior Center, look for the veterans memorial garden area next to the entrance. A new signal box wrap is located at the southeast corner of Rainier Blvd. and Dogwood St. At the Darigold plant, look for a painted tribute to the rooster named McNugget on the south wall of the large mural facing Front Street. At Confluence Park, kids will enjoy the stone pathways that wind their way through the planted areas and in a spiral behind the main park entrance sign.
Just south of the intersection of 1st Ave., Southeast and SE. Bush St. is the Issaquah Community Center and a segment of the flat, paved Rainier Trail. Follow this trail approximately 1/4 mile to discover the unique, gigantic troll sculpture called Jakob Two Trees. Designed from repurposed wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo, it was created in part with help from Snoqualmie Tribe members and community volunteers.
Kenmore: Walk to the west of the playground and restrooms to a small, newly renovated beach and lawn area with picnic tables, a large iron artwork, and tree rings stamped into the concrete.
Maple Valley: Look for a mural of salmon swimming upstream painted on the stairway between the Lodge and Arboretum Garden. A short walk west on the Green to Cedar Rivers Trail leads to a tunnel underneath Witte Road that has a new mural illustrating community history. Access the trail by stairs behind the Maple Valley History Museum.
Newcastle: A colorful, two-panel mural presents scenes of local nature and history at Lake Boren Park. Look for it on the south side of the restroom building.
A new trail and boardwalk connects to the Crosstown trail at Coal Creek Parkway, on the east side of the park. The boardwalk crosses a wetland and provides a view of the lake from an artistically designed covered bench. Look for this trail just south of the swimming area and the trail to the fishing pier.
Redmond Downtown South: The Glacial Erratic sculpture has been moved to the east side of Leary Way, on the Downtown Redmond Connector trail. A painted rainbow crosswalk on Cleveland Street next to downtown park celebrates community and diversity. The Redmond Farmers Market is no longer being held at Redmond Town Center; check the website for current location: http://redmondsaturdaymarket.org/
Redmond Downtown North: The railroad trestle bridge over the Sammamish River has now been paved as part of the Redmond Central Connector trail. Access this bridge from stairs next to the Sammamish River Trail or follow the signs to the Central Connector Trail and look for alla switchback trail with a slight incline up to the bridge. On the bridge itself, several rusted cut-steel panels present images and poems about Redmond's railroad history and the birds, fish, and other natural elements you may see.
The new Redmond Community and Senior Center has murals on the building's exterior and interior walls. Also look for permanent artworks and rotating exhibits inside during the Center's open hours.
Snoqualmie: The area north of Riverview Park now has a fence and sidewalk to enjoy the views of the river and Mt. Si. A rock garden on the south side of Snoqualmie City Hall, located across from the American Legion Hall, makes an interesting architectural element with its design to capture rainwater.
Woodinville: The metal sculpture and bat boxes are no longer at Woodin Creek Park. Look for history and art wraps on the traffic signal boxes around the historic Woodinville High School; the new development around this building also has multiple pieces of art in its public plazas.
Eastside Seattle Walking Resources