Carkeek Park352

This park's 216 acres has it all: hiking trails, expansive views of mountains and water, beach access, remnants of an historic orchard, picnic areas, a salmon creek, a wetlands walk, an innovative playspace for children, and broad grass fields. Visitors with binoculars can catch glimpses of the park's resident bald eagles, as well as of great blue herons, wintering ducks, and dozens of other species (especially during spring migration in May.)

The children's play area, designed by local artists, features a giant salmon slide. Kids enter at the salmon's mouth, and - as in nature - come out the other end, and most children seem to love this idea. Kids can choose the seesaw or swings, but can also crawl through a hollow log, hide in kid-sized shelters, or climb over concrete "tide pools" imbedded with tile "sea creatures".

During the salmon run in late fall, Piper's Creek is alive with salmon returning to their spawning grounds. Naturalists stay on hand to give out information, and the park celebrates the return of the salmon with nature programs and events. Birders can look in the creek for American Dippers, feasting on salmon eggs.

The wetlands walk, located just south of the train track overpass to the beach, offers a short boardwalk through still, dark water full of ducks and other birds, and places to pause and observe the area. A trail passes through native plantings to the creek. Dogs aren't allowed through the wetland, and kids should avoid climbing in the creek, since it destroys habitat and can also contain pathogens. The wetland walk is a good place to spot birds.

Carkeek Park has a vibrant environmental education program. Its Environmental Learning Center, open since July 2003, offers free and low-cost environmental education classes for adults and kids, including bird walks, nature stories, seasonal events, environmental workshops, and tours of the park for preschoolers.

Birthday parties - Does your child love bugs, birds, fish? Develop a theme with the Environmental Education Center. They'll provide a naturalist and theme activities. You provide refreshments, utensils, and up to 20 kids. For ages six to 15. Make arrangements three weeks in advance.

Summer Camp - The EarthKeepers Nature Camp, for ages six-12, offers weeklong programs during the summer, led by trained naturalists in an outdoor classroom setting. The camp programs strive to impart respect for and interconectedness with the natural world. Camp themes include: Survivor Island; Furs, Tails, Tracks, and Tails; Tidepool - Window to Puget Sound; Buggin' Out; Carkeek's Incredible Time Machine; and Wet and Squiggly Tidepools. Registration begins in early spring, and sessions fill up quickly. Camps cost $195 per week per child and $160 for a second week. Before and after camp programs are also available. Call or email for more information. [206.684.0877; earthkeepers_day_camp@yahoo.com]