Volunteer Park displays the Olmsted brothers' late-Victorian urban style of park design. Vistas of rolling lawns, carefully clumped shrubbery, tree-lined drives and carp ponds almost make you feel like you're strolling with top hat and cane in hand. The Kew Gardens-style glass conservatory, filled with humid tropical and arid desert environments, is free to all. At the southern end of the park stands a 75-foot brick water tower with a spiraling staircase and a 360-degree view of the Seattle area, from the Olympics to the Cascades. The view is a bit obstructed by the bars on the windows, but it's lovely in late afternoon sunlight. The park's name commemorates Seattleites who volunteered for the Spanish-American War. The park is also home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
Open now
Cowen Park
Sprawling across 12 acres of land, Cowen Park is a great spot for picnics and is also a nice place for kids to play. This park features a softball field, a play area, barbecue pits and picnic tables. If you wish to enjoy a game of tennis, you can visit the adjacent tennis courts that are located east of the 15th Avenue Bridge. A great place to visit for an evening walk.
If one were to speculate the least likely thing to appear at the corner of South 55th and Renton avenues, Japanese gardens may be one thing that comes to mind. Nevertheless, these splendid acres of lush greenery, feeding ponds and footbridges painted bright red with gold accents provide a beautiful escape. Fujito Kubota, a master gardener and landscaper, gave the park to the city of Seattle in 1987. Admission is free.
