McGarvey Park Open Space

Exploring the Forest

Located in Renton, Washington lies McGarvey Park Open Space, a sprawling 400-acre forest retreat that became part of King County's parkland in 2000. This wooded area connects several natural areas including Petrovitsky Park, Wetland 14 Natural Area, and Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park.

If you're into biodiversity, you'll appreciate the four wetlands scattered throughout the property. These wetlands provide homes for an array of birds, amphibians, and native plants. Keep your eyes peeled for interesting fungi and, if you're lucky, you might spot evidence of the beavers that call this place home.

Hit the Trails

Over 5 miles of trails wind through the trees, available for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. What's especially nice is how these paths seamlessly connect with the Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park trail system, giving you options to extend your outdoor adventure when you're not ready to head home yet.

Forest in Transition

The park has an interesting backstory - its past life as a logging area left it with an unusually high concentration of bigleaf maple and red alder trees. Today, King County is actively working to restore balance to the forest by introducing more conifers alongside the existing deciduous trees.

This isn't just about tree variety - it's about creating a healthier ecosystem with multiple canopy layers where diverse plant and animal species can thrive.

Beyond Recreation

McGarvey Park does double duty as part of King County's "4:1 Program" - a clever growth management initiative that creates natural buffers between urban developments and rural lands.

The park balances recreational use with conservation efforts that help maintain the natural character of the area.