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This trek is definitely family friendly. The entire route is upon either boardwalk or pavement.

Juanita Bay Park is a 144-acre urban wildlife habitat area that boasts more than 100 species of birds, several small mammals, numerous reptiles and amphibians that make the area their permanent homes, or use it for a respite along a migratory route.

The reason the area is so prolific in regards to animal life is because of its varied plant life. The wetland boasts five major plant communities.
However, that wasn’t always the case.

There has been activity on this corner of Lake Washington for many years.

American Indians first called the area home, living upon a shoreline that was much higher.

Then came the frog farmers.

Then in 1932, a developer decided the area would be a prime location for a golf course. He dumped truckload after truckload of cedar bark, sawdust and dirt in an attempt to change the marshland into fairways.

The attempt proved futile as the lake swallowed up his efforts.

The course was closed in 1975. Remnants of the effort can be seen today in grown-over sand traps and long forgotten tee boxes.

The Trek: This is just one of several paths that can be taken in Juanita Bay Park.

After parking, head west to find the trailhead. Get your bearings as you pass a large sign that provides a detailed map and highlights the flora and fauna in the area.
Venture past the restrooms and descend via switchback to the main trail junction.

Going to the right leads to the park’s causeway. To the left lie paths to the West Boardwalk and the East Boardwalk.

For this writing, the East Boardwalk route will be highlighted. The other routes will be detailed later.

At the main trail junction, proceed left, then take the first right. This is the East Boardwalk Nature Trail.

Just before the pavement turns to boardwalk, there is a placard that explains the area you are about to enter. It’s titled, “Wet Meadow.”

This wet meadow, “occurs in a wide band along the southern part of the wetland. It is bordered rather sharply by the sloping upland pasture to the south and by the shallow marsh to the north. Vegetation of the wet meadow is a very uniform pattern dominated by the perennial herb creeping buttercup.”

After reading the placard, proceed onto the boardwalk and make your way through a field of reeds.

Branches of weeping willows dangle over the boardwalk and must be brushed aside to continue.

Extensive wetlands dominate the area as the boardwalk bends to the right and to the left. The marsh is dominated by cattails. Interspersed throughout the area are rushes, reed canary grass, willow and yellow iris.

Break out from the thick, overhanging canopy and into an area dominated by lily pads.

The boardwalk bends sharply to the left, cutting a swath through the carpet of white pond lilies, submerged water milfoil and floating duckweed before ending at a viewing platform overlooking Lake Washington.

The platform is made of a grating, which allows one to get the feeling of walking on lily pads.

Keep an eye out for Western painted and red-eared slider turtles, American and Pacific tree bullfrogs, long-toed salamanders, Northwestern garter and common garter snakes.

In the air, look for any of the numerous species of waterfowl that inhabit the area.

An interpretive sign explains that the area is home to numerous osprey. On this day, however, a lone bald eagle was majestically perched on a log.

After taking it all in, retrace the route and return to the rig.

Distance: 1 mile

Destination: Viewing platform

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation gain: None

Getting there: I-405 to exit 20A (NE 116th Street). Turn left and go about 1.5 miles. Turn left on 98th Avenue NE, which becomes Market Street. Market Street borders the park. Turn right into the parking lot.