Green lake

What is interesting about the lake

Let's play truth or lie. Do you think Green Lake is a lake in Seattle? If you answered "Yes", then you are right, but only partially. Green Lake is more than just a body of water, it's an entire neighborhood!

Green Lake in Seattle is an area north of downtown that extends around the northern and eastern edges of the lake of the same name. The growing business district is home to restaurants, cafes and shops selling everything you need for an active lifestyle.

Here you will find many classic craftsmen's houses, which offer stunning views of the lake. The walking and cycling path is one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas. You will find random raccoons passing by, ducks swimming by, and many wild rabbits that have bred here because... well, it happened.

Learn more about how an unrefined lake with an unpleasant smell turned into a favorite of the townspeople after decades in our article.

Settlers first settled Green Lake in the 1860s, and the area itself was annexed to Seattle in 1891. To get more free space, in 1911 the inflow and outflow of water was blocked, lowering the overall level of the lake. Now it is fed only by rainwater and Seattle's water supply.

Ecologists are constantly fighting with algae, of which there are so many that the lake has acquired a characteristic green hue. By the way, hence the corresponding name of the lake.

Due to its proximity to the city center, Green Lake is a very popular destination. Over the past 15 years, the area around the lake has developed - new houses have appeared and many businesses have opened, old buildings and structures have been restored.

People love to walk along the Green Lake promenade or the park of the same name. There are no nightclubs here, but you can take dance lessons at The Little Red Hen or listen to live performances on Friday nights at Latona Pub. Due to the calm environment, the residents here are friendly and lead a measured and leisurely lifestyle.

Story

In September 1855, surveyor David Phillips broke through the bushes to the muddy shores of a small, unnamed lake. His visit in late summer coincided with the appearance of seasonal algae blooms, so the pond was green. Without thinking twice, he wrote the place down in his field journals as Green Lake.

No one was eager to visit the area — residents complained about the foul-smelling greenery. But there was one daredevil, Earhart Seyfried, who in 1869 decided to build a house near the coast, thereby becoming the first settler in this place. He and his wife cleared the dense thicket and planted an orchard. The couple befriended Indians who had known about Green Lake for generations.

Later, speculators came to the area, wanting to tear off a piece of land for themselves. Full population growth began only with the expansion of Seattle closer to the 20th century.

Many entrepreneurs owned large swathes of uncultivated land, which they refined and sold as individual lots, 30 feet by 100 feet, for prices ranging from $50 to $200. An advertisement ran in the Seattle papers promising, "Green Lake will become Seattle's most beloved suburb."

In the mid-1910s, weekend excursions to Green Lake were popular with city dwellers who wanted a breath of fresh air away from industrial centers and factories. Five elementary schools, a Carnegie library, churches, and a well-developed business district appeared in the area. Green Lake has become a place to live, work and play.

The ever-growing population of Seattle has placed a greater burden on Seattle Park, which is the largest in the state in terms of the number of visitors — more than a million a year.

Runners, skateboarders, rollerbladers and cyclists began to battle for space on the narrow trail that surrounds the lake. Many crashed into each other, which no one liked. This led to the expansion and renewal of the route. The infrastructure improvement project was completed in 1997 at a cost of $2.6 million.

Things to do

The main attraction is the lake itself. The most popular activities include walking or running the three-mile trail, kayaking, or playing volleyball. If you are lucky enough to get a strange transportation device, such as a unicycle, be sure to take the opportunity! No one talks about it, but Green Lake seems to be holding an unofficial competition for the strangest vehicles.

But wait, that's not all! Why not play amateur golf? If you are too lazy, take a look at the Tangletown area with our guide. Once you've explored the labyrinthine streets, try a Mighty O donut, a delicious hot dog at Hot Diggity, or dine on the Elysian Brewery's patio.

The oldest establishments in the area are located right on the lake. The library alone is worth something — this is a magnificent old building with a gorgeous view of the lake.

The Bathhouse Theatre, built in 1927, shows plays produced by the Seattle Community Theatre. This, of course, is not all that you will meet on your way. In the end, the most interesting thing is to find your favorite places yourself.