Bellevue Downtown Park | Downtown Park

For a very long time, we were trying to visit Bellevue downtown park, but after dinner we often clashed with cold weather and lethargy to visit there, just to grab an ice cream, we often fend it off, but all of a sudden, we made a plan to visit there. We went there to get a spin just to see the beauty of the place, so we went there after lunchtime, I will suggest you, visit there in morning or evening, as it is the best time to see the beauty of the place, even you can enjoy the walk.

About the park

Bellevue Downtown Park is a 20-acre park located in downtown Bellevue, Washington, United States, an outskirt of Seattle. The park consists of a circular ring with a large central greenspace that is surrounded by a deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle and walking trails. It is situated between Bellevue Square Mall to the north, Bellevue Way to the east, and Main Street to the south. The idea for a park in downtown Bellevue was created by civic and private leadership, which saw the City’s potential for shaping its future during a time of rapid growth and development. In the early 1980s, economic forces were rapidly influencing the character of downtown Bellevue. Its Centre was emerging as a hub for commercial and business activity, and the city was seen as a desirable residential community. In the middle of this dynamic period of growth, the City Council and community leaders saw the necessity of creating an amenity within the city which would help define its character and provide open space in an increasingly urban downtown core. The park was designed for passive and unstructured use, and as a “respite from the activities of busy urban life. The trees located in the Centre of the park are part of a memorial to Eastside World War I veterans. On November 11, 1926, the Bellevue Minute Women and Bellevue School District dedicated the memorial. The original monument consisted of a plaque with the names of three men killed in the war, three elm trees, and a 48-star US flag flying on a 65-foot (20 m) pole. The flagpole is no longer present. In 2006, one elm tree died and was replaced after a severe windstorm. For years, the city and private parties planned to restore the ageing monument. Restoration work began in 2015.

Downtown Park utilized a unique funding mechanism, heavily reliant on donations from the community. It was important for the City of Bellevue to demonstrate visible progress on the park construction immediately. Because of this, the park was developed on a pay-as-you-go basis, with fundraising processes running parallel to construction. Phase I of park development included the construction of the northeast corner of the park which was officially opened at a ceremony on September 13, 1987. Phase II of park development, which included completion of the western side of the park, was finished in 1990 following the approval of a park bond issue. Since that time, additional portions of the park have been completed, including the construction of a parking lot along the park’s west boundary; construction of a restroom and children’s play area in the southwest corner of the park; additional parking and re-alignment of SE 2nd Street in the southeast corner of the park; and removal of a structure from the northwest corner of the park. A major expansion project, including the completion of the circular canal, improved parking, enhancements to park entrances, and a new “Inspiration Playground”, was completed in June 2017.

Park Hours

Bellevue Downtown Park is open from half an hour before sunrise to 11 p.m., by Bellevue City Code.

Inspiration Playground

The Inspiration Playground offers interactive features that engage the senses, create inclusiveness and accommodate children of all abilities and their caregivers. Bellevue Rotary Club for helping to expand the original playground in the park to include an innovative play space where kids of all ages and abilities can play and explore at their own pace.

Parking Lots

There are two parking lots for the Downtown Park. Both are within close proximity to the Inspiration Playground: The main lot is on 100th Avenue NE, and the entry is near the mid-block of 100th between NE 4th Street and NE 1st Street. The secondary lot is on NE 1st Street near the intersection of NE 1st and 100th Avenue NE. This lot is immediately adjacent to the playground. 

So, this was the amazing time we spent and enjoyed there, kindly watch the embedded video for knowing the place visually, also do not forget to subscribe to our channel. Support us by watching other videos as well.