'The First Park In The World To Be Built Atop A Freeway' Is A Hidden Seattle Haven With Scenic Walking Paths

Washington's world-class city of Seattle is famously awash in breathtaking green spaces like Discovery Park and Seward Park, where people can marvel at everything from fragrant Douglas Firs to voluminous Bigleaf Maples. Surprisingly, given Seattle's renown for natural landscapes, one of its leafiest gems is an urban park pitched above a section of Interstate 5 and a parking lot. The aptly-named Freeway Park — which Seattle Parks and Recreation proclaims "the first park in the world to be built atop a freeway" — is a serene, downtown haven speckled with scenic walking paths and soaring trees.

Freeway Park is a 5-acre enclave in bustling, downtown Seattle that's bordered by Union and Spring Streets to the north and south, and 6th and 9th Avenues on the west and east. It serves the pragmatic purpose of allowing pedestrians to cross over the freeway with ease between downtown Seattle and the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and First Hill. Born of a grass roots movement spearheaded by First Hill residents, Freeway Park's construction also received support from Seattle civic leader Jim Ellis. Landscape architects Lawrence Halprin and Angela Danadjieva designed the site.

A wondrous scene of labyrinthine walkways and brutalist architecture, Freeway Park is canopied by more tree species than any other park in downtown Seattle. Inaugurated on the Fourth of July in 1976, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2019. Even so, many locals are in the dark that it even exists. This makes it a great spot to explore without massive crowds.

Freeway Park comprises a network of flat and terraced pathways and ramps as well as split staircases. These features shoot off in every direction and open onto sprawling lawns and concrete plazas. While one wide, main pathway stretches through the park, its layout makes exploring the space to the fullest more of a "choose your own adventure" experience. At one point, a pathway dips below a freeway overpass before emerging into tree-filled sunshine. A meandering route dead-ends against a wall beside the freeway. Fortunately, there's well-posted signage to keep visitors from getting lost. Given Freeway Park's mind-bending design, it's no wonder the World Freerunning Parkour Federation voted it one of the world's best parkour locations.

Visitors strolling the park encounter a collection of gorgeous trees like Canadian Hemlock, Star Magnolia, Japanese Maple, and of course Seattle's famous Douglas Firs. The mix of nature and concrete yields some cool contrasts, like downtown skyscrapers soaring above tree cover and terraced cascades spilling into concrete basins. Plenty of benches, tables and chairs are sprinkled along the way. Freeway Park also hosts community gatherings, like summer dance performances in celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Freeway Park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. While you're downtown, visit other nearby spots like Pike's Place, known as the "soul of Seattle," and Capitol Hill, a walkable hub boasting trendy brunch that's considered one of the best Seattle neighborhoods for food, fun, and friendly vibes.