Looking for a new route to take the dog on or just to take a long stroll through the neighborhood?
We’ve already written about the Walk Score Web site, which by the way now rates Maple Leaf as the city’s 29th most walkable neighborhood. But what if nature is your destination instead of the shops, restaurants and other venues that help give us our score of 73?
All you need for that is the free Feet First trail guide for Northeast Seattle Trails. With map in tow and good shoes on your feet, you can travel as far north as Jackson Park, as far east as Sand Point and as far south as Laurelhurst to one of the two dozen parks in the region or any other destination.
The map offers plenty of walking routes throughout Northeast Seattle, including nature trails, creek walks and potential future trails, and lets you know where crosswalks, signals and even steep slopes are. The legend is plenty of fun on its own, including icons for water fountains, restrooms, parks, community gardens, skate spots, points of interest, grocery stores, farmers markets, shopping areas and much more.
There are even a couple of suggested walks for Maple Leaf, including the 1-mile Maple Leaf Playground Loop, which circles Maple Leaf Park and the reservoir. Or make that the 2-mile Two Reservoir Walk, which adds Froula Playground and the Roosevelt Reservoir to the scenery.
Don’t know where to find a map? Maple Leaf Community Councilwoman Janice Camp, who worked on the Feet First planning committee, said they’re available in Northeast Seattle businesses including Maple Leaf’s Cloud City Coffee, Ace Hardware and Reckless Video, as well as at area community centers and libraries, including our own Northgate branch.
What’s your favorite walking route in Maple Leaf or the greater Northeast Seattle area?
Sacajawea trails are a hidden gem!