ML Interest Tag: panoramic

Trek Lightly with TreePeople

by kim orchen cooper

Trees give us shade, limbs to climb and branches to swing from  – not to mention fresh air to fill  little lungs. While it can feel like we live in an urban jungle, in LA we’re always about 10 minutes from a frolic in a forest. Tree People will help remind you of our abundance of green, and a visit to their Coldwater Canyon Park plants the seeds for budding environmentalists to learn and value the nature of sustainability.

KYCC Street Planting by Maria McGinley

High above the city lights of Hollywood, TreePeople’s headquarters are easy to access at the ridgeline of Coldwater Canyon and Mulholland Drive. Pack a snack and hit one of the half-dozen hiking trails within the Park; meandering one of the stroller-friendly paths, like the Magical City Forest Trail, leads to panoramic views of the Valley.

Along the way, tiny trekkers can check out the Yurt Village that serves as the nonprofit’s environmentally friendly offices. Along the Oak Trail, you’ll uncover a 99-seat amphitheater under a natural canopy, where a volunteer Ensemble presents music, plays and special events the summer.

Eco Tour 2
The Park’s main attraction is TreePeople’s Center for Community Forestry. Here’s the place kiddos can get their hands dirty, learning about planting trees and water conservation. Little ones will love to explore the entry to the Watershed Garden, through a concrete storm pipe. Once inside, witness a small scale river flowing through a natural landscape to a clean ocean. Models alongside demonstrate how rainwater picks up pollutants that wind up in the ocean and also how trees and naïve plantings can avert these detrimental effects.

Eco Tour
A hop, skip and a jump away is the Nursery where TreePeople nurtures seedlings, most grown from native seed and acorns collected by volunteers. Kids can lend little hands (with grownup help) to tend to the baby trees.

Eco Tour 2 by Basurto Family
Don’t forget to bring a picnic and spend the day, eating spots are scattered through the park.  This gorgeous getaway feels like miles from civilization (while merely minutes away from the 101 freeway!)

TreePeople @ Coldwater Canyon Park
located at the intersection of Mullholland Drive, Coldwater & Franklin Canyon
Online: treepeople.org

Check for parking closures due to special events (also, detailed directions and info for public transportation).

Also, check their website for events, like the monthly Moonlight Hike, where howling at the moon is optional, but encouraged.

– Kim Orchen Cooper

Photos courtesy of TreePeople, Maria McGinley and the Basurto Family.

Have you visited TreePeople?  We’d love to hear about your favorite hiking paths there or what your kids enjoyed learning!

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Hidden Gems: Explore a Neighborhood Pocket Park

by Natalia Dotto

You know the moment in Seattle, the one when the sun actually peeks out from behind a grey cloud, or the pattering of rain on the windows stops just long enough for everyone to quickly run outside and enjoy the fresh air. Well that is the time many Seattle-area moms and dads take their kiddos by the hands and take them outside for a quick run around at the park. Fortunately for those plucky parents, there are quite literally hundreds of parks to choose from. And while Seattle is home to many well-known parks, it is the neighborhood pocket park that is the jewel in the crown of Seattle’s regal parks system.

Bhy Kracke Park
This oddly named park is nestled into the hillside on Northeast Queen Anne. If you start at the top of the park you and the kiddos will be treated to a majestic view of the Seattle skyline. Then wind your way down a sloping, ivy-bordered pathway to a play structure, a grassy lawn and a wooden pergola, the perfect place for a picnic. Oh, and if you are curious the park is named after Werner H. Kracke whose nickname was “Bhy”.

Bhy Kracke Park
1215 5th Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98109
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=304

Soundview Terrace (aka Rachel’s Park)
Skip across to the other side of Queen Anne Hill and you get another stunning view. This time of Puget Sound, and another sweet little pocket park where the kiddos can slide, run and climb and you can relax on a bench with a warm cup of joe. There are also two small tables and a narrow lawn that leads up to 11th Ave. W.

Soundview Terrace
Address: 2500 11th Ave. W.
Seattle, Wa 98119
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=3987

Parsons Gardens
In the spring and summer this little gem of a park is often used for wedding ceremonies. In between the “I do’s” parents can pack a picnic and settle down on the lawn while the kiddos play hide and seek among the hydrangeas.

Parsons Gardens
7th Ave. W. & W. Highland Dr.
Seattle, Wa 98119
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=324

Ballard Corners Park
Visit this neighborhood park and it’s almost like relaxing in your own living room. That’s because this little park boasts a couple of cement couches. Okay, so cement is a little hard to relax on, but hey, no need to yell at the kids to stop jumping on the furniture. Plus the Littles will have fun clambering all over the climbing feature. There are also historical markers that can give the kiddos some ideas about corner stores and just where Ballard Corners park got its name.

Ballard Corners Park
17th Ave. N.W. & N.W. 62nd St.
Seattle, Wa 98107
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=4428

Ella Bailey Park
This park sits behind an abandoned elementary school in Magnolia, and at one point was part of the school’s playgrounds. Now the park has a spectacular panoramic view of downtown Seattle. Kiddos can run on the large grassy space or play on the swings and climbers. Psst! This park is a great place for viewing fireworks on the Fourth of July, along with dozens of your closest friends.

Ella Bailey Park
2601 W. Smith St.
Seattle, Wa 98199
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=318

Wallingford Steps
It’s not so much a park as a place to sit, take in yet another gorgeous Seattle view and let the kiddos blow off a little steam. The Wallingford Steps make their way down from the end of Wallingford Ave. N. to the Burke-Gilman Trail and then Gas Works Park. What’s fun about these steps is the brightly colored mosaic at the bottom of the steps. Kiddos can run around and around (and around!) this circular mosaic, looking at the metal mosaic images that were drawn for the art piece by nearby elementary school kids.

Wallingford Steps
Wallingford Ave. N. St. End at N. 34th St.
Seattle, Wa 98103
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=1000004

To be sure this is not nearly a comprehensive list of the many pocket parks around Seattle. For a full listing of the more than 400 parks and open spaces in Seattle, visit the Seattle Parks and Rec website.

What’s your favorite neighborhood pocket park? Share it with us in a comment below. 

Natalia Dotto

Photo credit: Natalia Dotto Photography & Seattle Parks and Recreation

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Twilight Walks: Night Hiking in the Bay Area

by Erin Lem

The soft sound of leaves being crushed underfoot, the hoo-hoo hooting of an owl and look, there are one, two, no three! stars twinkling away on the horizon. Bay Area kids are surrounded by miles of hiking trails begging to be explored, nature walks with super friendly guides at the very tips of their little fingers. Summer days are the perfect opportunity to hit the hills at twilight. Outdoor explorers may find Orion or hunt out the red planet and learn about moon cycles, all while honing their night vision in order to spot some of the nocturnal creatures who also call the Bay Area home.


East Bay

Mount Wanda Full Moon Hike
Find out if the man in the moon really exists and perhaps catch a glimpse of the elusive nocturnal gray fox. Families will enjoy watching the sun settle on the horizon as the moon rises during this wondrous jaunt up the 642 ft peak, just south of John Muir’s historic farmhouse. Hear rangers recite the famous naturalist’s poetry and take a close and personal glimpse at the lunar sphere through a telescope set up by supportive volunteers. Be sure to bring headlamps or flashlights to ensure safe passage down the trail! This is a free hike but reservations are required.

Dates: July 3: 8:00 pm, Aug 1st: 7:30 pm, Aug 31: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free, but reservation is required.

Mount Wanda / John Muir National Historic Site
Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road
Martinez, Ca
Phone: 925-228-8860
Online: nps.gov

El Cerrito Hillside Natural Area Sunset/Moonlight Walk
Friends of Five Creeks and El Cerrito Trail Trekkers are offering this free walk. El Cerrito Hillside Natural Area is a spectacular 90 acre open space with knockout views, a pristine oak forest and grasslands and so this moonlight jaunt offers gorgeous sunset viewing in an urban oasis. Flashlights and walking sticks are suggested helpful tools; sturdy hiking shoes and long pants are recommended to ward off that famous Bay Area night chill. Meet at the west end of King Court, El Cerrito (west of King, north of Moeser). Parking is very limited, so allow time to park and walk to the start.

Date: July 2: 7:30 pm
Cost: Free

El Cerrito Hillside Natural Area
King Court
El Cerrito, Ca
Phone: 510-848-9358
Online: fivecreeks.org


Marin County

Mount Tamalpais Saturday Evening Hike
One of the Bay Area’s most beautiful parks offers a moderate 2 mile hike on full moon Saturday evenings, starting 15 minutes after sunset. Stunning panoramic views of the entire bay will keep the kiddos enthralled from beginning to end. Find out about the various full moons, including the thunder, green corn, harvest and the hunter’s moon. These popular tours are first come first serve so don’t be late! All the hikes are lead by Mt. Tam Interpretive Association volunteers, loyal lovers of the mountain.

Dates:July 28: 8:30 pm, Sep 1st: 7:30 pm, Sep 29th: 8:30 pm, Oct 27th: 8:30 pm
Cost: Free

Mount Tamalpais
Pantoll Ranger Station
3801 Panoramic Highway
Mill Valley, Ca
Phone: 415-716-8397 or 415-258-2410
Online: mttam.net

Muir Woods After Hours
This special walk begins one hour before sunset and will conclude with the dark of night, well after the park is closed for regular visiting hours. The little ones will love to listen for owls, look for bats and learn how to use the five senses to make their way along the trail. This is an easy, two-mile walk on a paved path amongst the glories of the redwood forest, perfect for the whole family. Don’t forget to bring that flashlight and plenty of layers! Reservations are required and spaces fill up quickly.

Date:August 2: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: $5

Muir Woods
Hwy 1 to Muir Woods
National Monument
Mill Valley, Ca
Phone: 415-388-2595
Online: parksconservancy.org


San Francisco

Japanese Full Moon Viewing Walk/Party
One of two yearly viewing parties at the Japanese Tea Gardens, this moonlit walk allows for guests to enjoy the beauty of the gardens and pond in a different light. Tour guides will share traditions of Japanese Moon Viewing. The limit is 30 guests, and pre-registration is required. Meet up with other lunar lovers 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the walk.

Date:September 28th, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members

Japanese Tea Gardens
Corner of 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way
San Francisco, Ca
Phone: 415-661-1316
Online: sfbotanicalgardensociety.org

Land’s End City Star Parties
The San Francisco Amateur Astronomers Association offers city star viewing parties at Point Lobos/Lands End. While not too much of a hike, this special nighttime event is perfect for budding Galileos wanting to learn how to work telescopes, check out the Milky Way and even see some shooting stars!

Lands End
Date: July 28: 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Cost: Free Merrie Way San Francisco, Ca
Online: sfaa.com


Peninsula

A Night Hike for Newbies
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District offers a great hike for new nighttime enthusiasts. This moderately-paced, 3 to 4 mile docent-led evening hike includes a dinner break and a return trip under the stars. Highlights include looking for banana slugs and spotting coyotes in the dusky twilight. Flashlights covered with red cellophane will help little eyes adjust to the night light. Reservations are required and should be limited to groups of four.

Date:Jul 20th, 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Cost: Free

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, Ca
Phone: 650-691-2150
Online: openspace.org

“Like” this story below if your family plans on going night hiking this summer, then let us know your tips for making this a great family experience. 

— Gabriel Cullen

Photo courtesy of davedehetre, leftcan1, dospaz via flickr

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