Kelsey Creek Park is made up of 160 acres of forest, meadows and wetlands. Its grounds are woven with hiking and jogging trails. Picnickers may enjoy beautiful grassy areas and families with young children often make use of the playground. The creeks, wetlands and forests round out the parks natural habitat.
The jewel of the park is its farm. It features historic barns. The barns are strikingly beautiful, as they sit prominently on the crest of a hill, overlooking shallow valleys on either side. Farm programs include children's recreational programs, seasonal camps, pony care and farm experience classes, farm-themed tours and many volunteer opportunities.
Drivers can test for new licenses and renew their current licenses at this Bellevue location of the state Department of Licensing. Washington residents and drivers also can apply for a Washington state identification card and an enhanced drivers license or identification card, which is an acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship when crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Washington residents also may use the enhanced drivers license or ID for travel to and from Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
Applications must start two hours before closing time. Waiting times can be checked online at the Department of Licensing website.
This neighborhood service center located inside Crossroads Shopping Center provides information and referral for a multitude of city and community programs and services. Staff and trained "cultural navigator" volunteers offer assistance in nine languages. Assistance is available for residents who speak Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Korean or any of the languages of India. Call for specific days and times for interpretation service, city bill payment location, information about jobs or support organizations.
Lake Hills Greenbelt Ranger Station provides park information for the Lake Hills Greenbelt Park. This includes interpretive displays, information on park trails, programs and gardening. It is also equipped with a meeting room for small gatherings.
The city's Transportation Department is located in City Hall. The department's website has information on traffic projects, road construction and alternative transportation. Residents can also find future plans to improve Bellevue's roads and traffic.
The Highland Community Center and Skate Park supports Bellevue's Specialized Recreation Program and support services. It provides a space for community disability groups and offers a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, and rental facility. There are two outdoor tennis courts, two softball fields, a children's play structure, an outdoor skating area, and walking track. Highland's programs include drop-in sports programs, and drop-in toddler playtime.
Nestled within the urban area of Bellevue, Washington, this 54-acre garden is a great get-away from the busy downtown core. The well-maintained grounds provide ample opportunities for short hikes, small family picnics, or even an out-of-office lunch.
Parking and public transportation to the Bellevue Botanical Garden
Parking is free and the entrance is a one-way off of Main Street. If the main lot is full, visitors may park in the nearby Willburton Hill Park just east of the gardens. For public transit, visit King County Metro for current available routes.
Best and worst time to go to the Bellevue Botanical Garden
Weekday mornings are always the best times. However, because the garden is so expansive, even on a busy day you would have no problem enjoying the scenery. Consider going during the holiday season, from mid November through December, and enjoy the "Garden d'Lights" as you walk through the colorful light displays during the evening hours.
Admission to the Bellevue Botanical Garden
Admission is free to enter the park. While the park itself is open from dawn until dusk, the Visitor Center and the Shorts House hold separate hours. Check the Bellevue Botanical Garden's website for its current seasonal hours.
Must see/do at Bellevue Botanical Garden
Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a map of the gardens. If you don't have a lot of time to explore, at least take in the Yao Garden and the Ravine Experience. Take a peek inside the Shorts House and browse their gardening resource library. And then make a stop in the Trillium Store for some garden-inspired gifts.
Other places to visit near the Bellevue Botanical Garden
Because of its close proximity to Bellevue's downtown core, a short drive across the freeway will take you to the Bellevue Collection, downtown's shopping district which includes the popular Bellevue Square. Also in this area is the Bellevue Art Museum and Downtown Park, both great places to walk around and enjoy the scenery.
Insider tip for visitors to the Bellevue Botanical Garden
Expect to walk to gain the full benefit of the gardens. It is a wonderful place to get landscaping ideas, and "tap or scan" QR code stations are scattered throughout the grounds to help you identify the plants in the area. If you enjoy longer trail walks, the gardens connect to the Lake to Lake Trail system that spans about ten miles between Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington.
Author's bio: Jae Holt is a freelance writer and novelist, and an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy. When she isn't writing or reading, she is looking for fun things to do with her family.
Bellevue Marina at Meydenbauer Bay is made up of three piers. Pier one is a fixed wooden pier, which offers uncovered moorage of boats between 35 and 69 feet. Pier two is a mostly covered concrete floating pier for boats ranging from 30 to 42 feet. Pier three is a fixed wooden pier, with both covered and uncovered moorage for boats ranging from 20 to 50 feet.
Marina services include water and appropriate electrical services to each clip, public restrooms, security gates at pier entrances, used motor oil disposal area, naturally protected moorage.
Youth Link is an city-sponsored youth leadership organization that oversees city projects that help Bellevue teens. Among the projects that have started under the leadership of Youth Link since it was founded 20 years ago are:
- The Safe Rides Program
- Ground Zero Teen Center
- Bellevue Skate Park
- Youth Volunteer Corps
- Teen Talk Radio
- Outspoken Newspaper
- Youth Involvement Conference
- The Youth Link Community Leadership Awards
- Bellevue Youth Court
Youth Link has a board made of six teenagers and six adults, and it also has a Youth Council, which organizes and plans work groups for upcoming and curent projects.
The Youth Council and many of Youth Link's programs meet at City Hall in room 1E-120.