Meydenbauer Bay Park Expansion
The City of Bellevue is planning to expand Meydenbauer Bay Park. Completed in 2019, the waterfront park has become a popular year round destination. Potential plans include improving access to the Downtown Park, adding a community building, marina and parking changes/improvements and continuing shoreline restoration. Meydenbauer Bay Park will be the anchor at the west end of the future Grand Connection.
The design phase is expected to last about 18 months. The City is soliciting community input for this project. Public meetings will be scheduled in the coming months and into early next year. You can visit EngagingBellevue.com to learn more about the project, take the survey, and let the city know what you’d like to see as plans to expand the park take shape.
Robin Myers/Windermere Real Estate/East, Inc.
Condominium + Urban Lifestyles
BellevueUrbanLiving.com
Outdoor Movies Return to Downtown Park
Summer is here and it’s time for Movies in the Park. Beginning Tuesday July 18th, and every Tuesday through August 22nd, outdoor movies, with a different weekly theme, will be shown on a 40 foot movie screen in the Downtown Park. Pre-movie entertainment begins at 7:00 PM and movies begin at dusk. Each weekly movie benefits a local non-profit organization.
Here’s the summer lineup at the Downtown Park.
July 18th MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU
Theme: 70s Night – find your disco and 70s track suits
Event Benefits Bellevue Lifespring
July 25th TROLLS WORLD TOUR
Theme: Light Up the Night – wear your best light-up attire
Event Benefits Boys and Girls Club Bellevue
August 1st HOODWINKED
Theme: Military & First Responders Night – represent your favorite hero
Event Benefits Bellevue Fire Foundation
August 8th ELF
Theme: The holidays are here early – dress to show your holiday cheer
Event Benefits Girl Scouts of Western Washington
August 15th THE KARATE KID
Theme: Sports Night – wear your favorite team or sports attire
Event Benefits Sports In Schools
August 22nd BACK TO THE FUTURE PART 2
Theme: Blast from the Past – dress as your favorite era/decade
Event Benefits Jubilee Reach
Movies in the Park is a free event. There will be live music, entertainment, vendors and prize give-aways. Dogs are permitted at the park, but please obey leash laws and clean up after your dog.
If you can’t make the Tuesday night movies in the park, Crossroads Park is also hosting summer movies every Thursday evening from August 3rd through 24th.
Downtown Bellevue Pop-Up Dog Park
Have you visited Wildwood Park just south of Main Street in recent weeks? You may have noticed one of three new pop-up dog parks.
Bellevue Parks & Community Services has launched a pilot program to create safe and accessible spaces for pets and owners to play, socialize and exercise. Other pop-up parks are at Wilburton Hill Park and in Crossroads Park. These dog parks are part of the City’s 2022 Parks & Open Space System Plan to provide off-leash areas near downtown and other underserved neighborhoods.
The parks are fenced, have safe double entry gates, dog waste bag dispensers and waste cans. The temporary status could change depending on popularity and costs to convert to permanent installations. Feedback has been positive so far and two additional dog parks will be popping-up in Lincoln Center and just north of City Hall.
Stop by the Wildwood Park park and give your four legged family member chance to mingle with local pups and their people.
Visit Bellevue’s Park’s & Community Services website for more information.
AND DON’T FORGET . . . Friday, June 23rd is National Take Your Dog to Work Day
Calling All Dogs
Bellevue’s annual dog jog and walk event is just around the corner.
This year’s Inaugural Paws & Pride Dog Jog and Walk is scheduled for Sunday, June 4th at Ashwood Park. This year’s annual downtown Bellevue event benefits Seattle Humane of Bellevue and Lambert House. Registration is open for individuals/$25, pairs/$40 or $50 for a 4-pack. After the walk events continue at Ashwood Park with KidsQuest Children’s Museum activities, vendors and booths highlighting pets and LGBTQIA+ organizations and sponsors. All participants receive goodie bags and customized event bandanas
For more information and event registration or to volunteer visit: https://www.bellevuedowntown.com/events/paws-and-pride-dog-jog-and-walk.
Summer Movies in the Park are Back
A favorite summer event, movies in the Downtown Bellevue Park, are back on Tuesday evenings beginning July 19th through August 23rd. This is a free, fun family event that always draws a big crowd. Pre-movie entertainment starts at 7:30 PM and movies start around dusk (9:00-ish).
July 19th Sing 2 Light Up the Night – bring your glowsticks
July 26th Rango Country Western Night – don’t forget your cowboy hat and boots
August 2nd Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero Military Appreciation Night – represent your favorite branch
August 9th Space Jam: A New Legacy Sports Day – wear your favorite sport/team jersey
August 16th The LEGO movie LEGO builders night – LEGO building time
August 23rd Back to the Future 80s Night – wear bright colors and bit hair
(movies will be canceled in the event of rain)
Movies are also scheduled at the Crossroads Park every Thursday evening beginning August 4th through August 25th.
Pack up the family, snacks, drinks, blankets and jackets, find your favorite spot in the park and enjoy a fun outdoor night at the movies.
For more information call 425/452-4240 or visit BellevueWA.gov/outdoor-movies
LOCAL SUMMER DAY TRIPS
I haven’t been to Bainbridge Island in years. I recently spent the day in Winslow with a friend who is an artist to see her work on display in a local gallery. After coffee at the waterfront park overlooking Eagle Harbor we explored the Bainbridge Arts & Crafts gallery, viewing her work along with the work of other artists and learned about the history of BA&C and future exhibitions. After cruising the options downtown we settled on an outdoor table at a local winery for lunch.
There’s something about a ferry ride that is so relaxing, making you feel like you’ve really gotten away, even if just for the day. Traveling as a walk-on passenger is even more relaxing, eliminating the car line and worrying about whether you’ll make the next sailing. It’s a short but beautiful ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and an easy walk from the ferry dock to downtown Winslow’s museum, shops, galleries, restaurants and parks.
Bainbridge is a great last minute “what should we do today” activity on a sunny day. There’s plenty to do for an afternoon or linger a bit longer and make it a dinner date.
Halloween Family Fun
Social distancing restrictions are going to limit traditional Halloween activities this year. If you’re looking for a fun family event, check out Bellevue’s Vasa Park Resort Drive-In Theatre. Classic Halloween movies will be shown this weekend and again the weekend of October 23rd/24th.
Some dates are already sold out . . . visit Vasa Park’s website (https://www.vasaparkresorteventcenter.com) for the movie schedule, tickets and concessions menu.
Friday, October 9th Hocus Pocus sold out
Saturday, October 10th Coco: Day of the Dead sold out
Friday, October 23rd Addams Family
Bellevue McCormick Park
I visit McCormick Park daily with my dog. A couple years ago the City of Bellevue Parks Department planted a new tree, a Mimosa tree, which is unique to this area. I grew up on the East coast where Mimosa trees are common. They thrive in warm southern climates, attract butterflies and hummingbirds and are one of the few trees that bloom in summer with big pink or white puffball blossoms. They’re also very unique in that their fern-like leaves fold closed in the evening or when it rains.
I have fond memories of Mimosa trees. My grandparents had two in their yard. They grow in a wide canopy-like shape and my sister and I would gather the pink puffballs and sit under the tree stringing the blossoms together to create necklaces and bracelets and occasionally adorn my grandmother’s cat with a pink collar. Skippy never seemed to appreciate her puffy pink collars.
I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 40 years and have never seen a Mimosa tree growing locally. It’s fun to enter the park and see the tree in full bloom with those big pink puffballs. Thanks to the City of Bellevue for a little bit of nostalgia.
Bellevue’s McCormick Park
Did you know . . . the City of Bellevue has over 2,700 acres of open space, 90+ miles of multi-use trails, lakefront parks, a farm, golf courses and dozens of playgrounds, sports courts, ball fields and picnic shelters. While many of the larger parks are well known, there are dozens of small parks downtown and in neighborhoods throughout the city.
I live on the north end of downtown. McCormick Park runs in front of my community providing a colorful pedestrian buffer between along NE 12th Street. Just under three acres, the park stretches from 102nd Avenue NE to 112th Avenue NE. There’s a groomed walking trail, benches, picnic tables and open lawn area for adults, kids and leashed pets. In the spring there is an explosion of color from dozens of mature rhododendrons and gardens. In a busy city this small park provides a quiet place to enjoy a work day lunch break, walk, play, relax or picnic year round. I’m a dog owner, so I’m at McCormick Park daily. I’m lucky to have access to a nearby urban getaway where I can enjoy the skyline view while the pups roll in the grass and lounge in the sun. The park has been my major “go to” spot during the quarantine.
Find a park near your home or workplace. Visit the City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services website bellevuewa.gov to find your neighborhood park.
Feel the Sidewalk Between Your Toes
I’ve lived in Bellevue for over 30 years and downtown for the past dozen years. During the past several weeks of stay home/stay healthy I’ve logged a lot of miles around downtown Bellevue, often accompanied by two spoiled dogs. I know this city pretty well but have been surprised by the the pocket parks, public plazas and courtyards in commercial spaces and viewpoints I’ve discovered for the first time. And while currently closed, I’ve also found new coffee, dining and dessert options to put on my list to try this summer.
It’s going to be a beautiful weekend with summer-like weather predicted for several days. Wherever you live, take advantage of the sunshine and reduced traffic – ride your bike, take a walk, walk the dog, explore your neighborhood, investigate the city, visit the Botanical Gardens or Downtown Park or one of several lake front parks. You may be surprised by what you find.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, grand-moms, great grand-moms and dog and cat moms.