Saint Edward

Saint Edward State Park is a 326-acre park located on the eastern shore of Lake Washington in Kenmore, just north of Seattle. The park features a dramatic landscape of forested slopes descending to the lake, with the historic Saint Edward Seminary building as its centerpiece. Originally the site of a Catholic seminary that operated from 1931 to 1976, the park preserves significant old-growth and second-growth forest while providing diverse recreation close to Seattle's urban core. The park offers hiking, swimming, sports fields, and access to the Burke-Gilman Trail, serving both as a natural retreat and a community recreation hub.

The park's diverse habitats from forested slopes to lakefront support varied wildlife including black-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, and Douglas squirrels commonly observed throughout the grounds. Coyotes occasionally pass through the park, while smaller mammals like chipmunks and voles inhabit the forest floor. The lake provides habitat for waterfowl including mallards, wood ducks, and Canada geese, while great blue herons and belted kingfishers fish along the shoreline. Bald eagles and osprey hunt over Lake Washington, and the forested areas host diverse songbirds including varied thrushes, chickadees, woodpeckers, and migratory warblers. The proximity to urban areas brings challenges including domestic pets and human-wildlife conflicts, but the park's size and habitat diversity support surprisingly robust wildlife populations.

The park protects a mix of old-growth and second-growth forest dominated by Douglas fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock, with some trees over 400 years old. Bigleaf maple, red alder, and Pacific madrone add deciduous elements to the forest canopy, while the understory includes sword ferns, salal, Oregon grape, and Indian plum. The steep ravines support moisture-loving plants including devil's club, skunk cabbage, and various mosses and ferns. Open lawn areas around the historic seminary building are maintained for recreation, while restoration areas work to remove invasive species including English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and holly. The park's diverse plant communities create varied habitats supporting different wildlife species and providing seasonal color from spring wildflowers to fall foliage.

Saint Edward State Park sits on glacially sculpted terrain shaped by the Vashon Glaciation, which retreated from the Puget Sound region approximately 15,000 years ago. The dramatic slopes descending to Lake Washington were created by glacial erosion and subsequent landslide activity in the unstable glacial till and clay deposits. The park's ravines and steep topography result from ongoing erosion processes as streams cut through the glacial sediments. Lake Washington itself occupies a glacially carved trough, with the lake's current level artificially lowered by nine feet when the Ship Canal was completed in 1916. The geology creates slope stability challenges that influence trail placement and park management, while seeps and springs emerge where water percolates through permeable glacial deposits.

The park experiences a mild maritime climate typical of the Puget Sound region, with wet, mild winters and warm, dry summers. Average annual precipitation is approximately 35-40 inches, with most rain falling between October and March. Winter temperatures typically range from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit, while summer temperatures average in the 70s with occasional periods in the 80s. The lake moderates temperature extremes, while the forested slopes create microclimates with cooler, moister conditions in ravines and valleys. Fog can occur near the lake during temperature transitions, and winter occasionally brings light snow. The moderate climate and diverse topography support the park's rich forest ecosystems and year-round recreation opportunities.

The Lake Washington shoreline has been home to Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Duwamish and other Lushootseed-speaking groups, for thousands of years. These indigenous communities utilized the lake's fish and shellfish resources and traveled the waters in cedar canoes. European-American settlement arrived in the late 1800s with logging of old-growth forests and establishment of farms and estates. In 1931, the Catholic Church opened Saint Edward Seminary, training priests on the scenic lakefront property for 45 years. The seminary's imposing brick building, completed in 1931, became an architectural landmark. When the seminary closed in 1976, Washington State Parks acquired the property, preserving the historic structure and surrounding forest for public use.

Saint Edward State Park was established in 1978 when the state acquired the former seminary property, creating a large public park serving the rapidly growing communities north of Seattle. The historic seminary building has been adaptively reused, currently operating as Bastyr University after the state leased it for educational purposes. The park was developed with trails, picnic areas, sports fields, and beach access while preserving the mature forest and unique character of the seminary grounds. Over the decades, improvements have included trail expansion, restoration of native habitats, and development of the waterfront area. The park serves multiple roles as natural area, historic site, and active recreation destination for the densely populated region.

The park features over six miles of hiking and mountain biking trails winding through forested slopes, ravines, and along the lakeshore. The main trail system descends from the seminary plateau to the beach, passing through old-growth forest and crossing streams via bridges. The waterfront area includes a swimming beach, fishing pier, and boat launch providing Lake Washington access. Sports facilities include soccer fields, a baseball diamond, and open play areas popular with organized leagues and casual users. The historic seminary building and its landscaped grounds offer architectural interest and event venues. The park connects to the Burke-Gilman Trail, one of the region's premier multi-use paths, extending recreation opportunities for cyclists and pedestrians.

Saint Edward State Park is located in Kenmore at the intersection of Juanita Drive NE and NE 145th Street, easily accessible from Interstate 405 and Seattle neighborhoods. The park is day-use only with no overnight camping, operating year-round with parking fees required. Facilities include restrooms, picnic shelters available for reservation, sports field complexes, and a beach with seasonal lifeguard services. The park offers ample parking near the main facilities, with additional parking serving the waterfront and trail system. Bastyr University occupies the historic seminary building under a long-term lease. The park's proximity to the Burke-Gilman Trail makes it accessible by bicycle, while nearby Kenmore and Bothell provide all services. The park is heavily used year-round, with peak visitation during summer weekends.

Saint Edward State Park preserves critical forest habitat and Lake Washington shoreline in one of Washington's most urbanized regions, providing ecosystem services including carbon storage, air filtration, and wildlife habitat. Management challenges include controlling invasive species that threaten native forest communities, particularly English ivy that climbs and kills trees. Restoration efforts focus on removing invasives, replanting native species, and protecting old-growth trees that survived historical logging. The park participates in monitoring water quality in Lake Washington and protecting the shoreline from erosion and degradation. Slope stability concerns require ongoing assessment and management to ensure trail safety. Educational programs connect urban visitors to forest ecology, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural areas within cities. The park demonstrates how historic preservation, active recreation, and natural area conservation can coexist, providing multiple benefits to the community while protecting ecological values.