Light Rails to Park Trails
By Yordanos Tesfazion
The public transit system in our region is ranked as one of the best in the country. From helping free up traffic to improving the quality of our air and water, public transportation is the embodiment of a gift that keeps on giving and addresses a series of interconnected social issues, ranging from environmental injustices to inequitable access to essential public services (like parks).
Yes, Parks Are Essential!
Those essential services include parks and recreation. The National Recreation and Park Association argues that parks and recreation’s economic value, health and environmental benefits, and social significance make them key pillars in a flourishing community.
That’s why thousands came out to celebrate the recent grand opening of Judkins Park Station. Located right across the street from Jimi Hendrix Park and the Northwest African American Museum, the Judkins Park Station is a milestone for the Central District. The new station has unlocked better access to essential services, seriously improving the quality of life for those in Central Seattle and surrounding communities.
Link to a Park Farthest From You
Sun’s out—and so is parking.
It’s the time of year when our parks are packed with guests who’ve been waiting for weather that accommodates hours-long park visits. Ahead of your next park visit, consider alternative transportation options!
- Scriber Creek Park: 0.5 miles away, 9-minute walk, 2-minute bike ride
- Sprague’s Pond Mini Park: 0.6 miles away, 13-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- Veterans Memorial Park: 0.3 miles away, 8-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- Ballinger Park: 1 mile away, 21-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- North City Park: 0.6 miles away, 14-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Shoreline Park: 0.6 miles away, 15-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
- Paramount Open Space: 0.4 miles away, 10-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Paramount Park: 0.5 miles away, 11-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Honorable mention, Twin Ponds Park: 0.8 miles away, 17-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Hubbard Homestead: 0.7 miles away, 16-minute walk, 7-minute bike ride
- Mineral Springs Park: 0.8 miles away, 18-minute walk, 6-minute bike ride
- Cowen Park: 0.4 miles away, 8-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- Green Lake Park: 0.8 miles away, 17-minute walk, 7-minute bike ride
- University Playground Park: 0.6 miles away, 14-minute walk, 7-minute bike ride
- Fritz Hedges Waterway Park: 0.6 miles away, 12-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
University of Washington Station
- Explore UW’s beautiful campus and go on a self-guided Indigenous Walking Tour
- Cal Anderson Park: 0.3 miles away, 5-minute walk, 1-minute bike ride
- Volunteer Park: 0.7 miles away, 17-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Westlake Park: 0.1 miles away, 3-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride.
- Join us for the Grand Reopening of the park on Thursday, May 28 from 5-6:30pm! Learn more here.
- Freeway Park: 0.3 miles away, 8-minute walk, 7-minute bike ride
- Waterfront Park: 0.3 miles away, 9-minute walk, 6-minute bike ride
- Victor Steinbrueck Park: 0.5 miles away, 12-minute walk, 8-minute bike ride
- City Hall Park: 492 feet away, 2-minute walk, 1-minute bike ride
- Pioneer Square Habitat Beach: 0.4 miles away, 9-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
International District/Chinatown Station
- Hing Hay Park: 0.1 miles away, 3-minute walk, 1-minute bike ride
- Kobe Terrace: 0.3 miles away, 9-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- There’s no need to worry about event parking at Lumen Field!
- More relief from event parking!
- Beacon Hill Playfield: 0.5 miles away, 13-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
- Jefferson Park: 0.7 miles away, 17-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Mount Baker Park: 0.7 miles away, 18-minute walk, 7-minute bike ride
- Columbia Park: 0.2 miles away, 5-minute walk, 1-minute bike ride
- Rainier Playfield: 0.3 miles away, 7-minute walk, 2-minute bike ride
- Othello Playground: 0.3 miles away, 6-minute walk, 2-minute bike ride
- John C. Little, Sr. Park: 0.3 miles away, 8-minute walk, 2-minute bike ride
- Rainier Beach Playfield: 0.5 miles away, 12-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- East Duwamish Greenbelt: 0.6 miles away, 16-minute walk, 9-minute bike ride
Tukwila International Boulevard Station
- Riverton Heights Park: 0.7 miles away, 18-minute walk, 8-minute bike ride
- Cascade View Community Park: 0.9 miles away, 20-minute walk, 8-minute bike ride
- Don’t feel like paying for a rideshare service? The Link takes you directly to the fourth floor of the airport garage! Learn how to make the trip here.
- Angle Lake Park: 0.5 miles away, 11-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
- Parkside Park: 0.8 miles away, 17-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
- Glenn Nelson Park: 0.7 miles away, 16-minute walk, 6-minute bike ride
- Town Square Park: 0.1 miles away, 3-minute walk, 1-minute bike ride
- Steel Lake Park: 0.5 miles away, 13-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Luther Burbank Park: 0.4 miles away, 9-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- Mercerdale Park: 0.6 miles away, 13-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
- Enatai Neighborhood Park: 0.6 miles away, 16-minute walk, 8-minute drive
- Enatai Beach Park: 0.9 miles away, 20-minute walk, 7-minute bike ride
- Surrey Downs Park: 0.5 miles away, 12-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- Ashwood Playfield: 0.7 miles away, 17-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride
- Bellevue Downtown Park: 1 mile away, 24-minute walk, 10-minute bike ride
- Spring District Park: 0.3 miles away, 6-minute walk, 2-minute bike ride
- Cherry Crest Mini Park: 0.8 miles away, 22-minute walk, 10-minute bike ride
- Viewpoint Park: 0.9 miles away, 22-minute walk, 8-minute bike ride
- Esterra Park: 0.2 miles away, 6-minute walk, 2-minute bike ride
- Goldsmith Neighborhood Park: 0.8 miles away, 19-minute walk, 6-minute bike ride
- Cascade View Neighborhood Park: 0.5 miles away, 11-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- Marymoor Park: 0.8 miles away, 17-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
- Via the Marymoor Connector Trail: 0.5 miles away, 10-minute walk, 3-minute bike ride
- Anderson Park: 0.2 miles away, 6-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
- Downtown Park: 0.3 miles away, 8-minute walk, 4-minute bike ride
Travel Smarter, Not Harder
Public transportation doesn’t have to be difficult, remember to plan ahead for a smooth trip.
Find all the answers to your questions on the Sound Transit website, where they cover helpful information about service alerts, transfers and bringing a bike on board! Read through their “Ride with us” page here.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, just under half the population in the United States have no access to public transportation. It’s easy to take our transit system for granted—especially for those who aren’t frequent riders. Practice makes perfect, and much like learning how to ride a bike, the more you take public transit, the easier your trips will be.