Deer Park

A Walk Through History

Set in Everett, Washington, Deer Park spans an impressive 197 acres, making it the city's largest green space. Born during the 1930s as part of Roosevelt's New Deal, this park contains structures built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) - their sturdy buildings still holding strong after all these decades.

Trails That Tell Stories

Wander through the park's terraced hillsides and wooded corners, and you'll discover yourself immersed in a refreshing escape from city life. The trail network here is delightfully varied - soft forest paths that cushion your steps, moss-adorned staircases that seem plucked from a fairy tale, weathered service roads, and well-worn boot paths created by years of exploration.

Feel like challenging yourself? You can craft your own adventure or tackle any of the 13 hill climb courses. For the ambitious hiker, that's up to 4.9 miles of trails with a substantial 1,105 feet of elevation gain - your legs will definitely know they've had a workout!

Learn While You Explore

The upper ridge trail features a self-guided nature tour with informative markers created by local Boy Scouts - well-suited for curious minds wanting to understand the ecosystem around them. If you're into honing your navigation skills, check out the two permanent orienteering courses that let you practice map reading while enjoying the outdoors.

Something for Everyone

Beyond its natural beauty, Deer Park offers plenty of recreational options. Kids will love the playground and summer spray park (perfect for those hot Washington days when you need to cool down). There's also an indoor swimming pool for year-round splashing.

Funny enough, even the parking lot curbs have found a second life as makeshift balance beams for fitness enthusiasts looking to work on their stability!

From Zoo to Sanctuary

You might not know it just by looking, but Deer Park once bustled with animal life. From 1914 until the 1970s, this space functioned as a zoo, starting modestly with a few deer, coyotes, and pelicans before expanding to house bison, elk, zebras, and most famously, an elephant named Rosie.

Today, while the animals are gone, Deer Park remains an important green space for Everett - a place where you can reconnect with nature, get your heart pumping, and appreciate the history of those Depression-era public works projects.