Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
Address: Oakesdale Ave SW & SW 7th St, Renton, WA 98057
Hours: Daily
Black River Riparian Forest and Wetland is a famous regional wetland park in the area of Renton, WA. This park is home for more than fifty species of birds. The complex is a great place for bird watchers, who can enjoy abundant wild life here, including great blue heron.
This place is perfect for local residents because it is situated within the city’s borders and is considered to be a unique park that shows the life in wetland. This wetland is one of the last protected riparian forests that are remained in the region of Puget Sound.
It should be said that originally Renton was founded near the Cedar and the Black Rivers, which were flowing into Lake Washington. In 1917, the ship canal was completed and level of Lake Washington dropped 14 feet and caused the Black River to disappear. All that has remained is Black River Riparian Forest and Wetlands.
The area is also considered to be a great place for walks; a grassy trail runs to the south and is connected with a paved pedestrian path that may also be used for biking.
Several words should be said about the colony of great blue heron. These wetlands are home for the largest colony of these birds in Washington. If you come to this forest to see the herons, you will need to have binoculars. You are to follow the dirt trail from the parking lot, which takes you into the forest. At the water’s edge you will need to turn right and walk through the shrubs till you see large cottonwoods.
From I-405 North, take Exit 2 (from I-405 South, take Exit 2B) and follow the sings to Renton. Turn left on Grady Way and continue to go west. Turn right on Oakesdale Ave SW and continue along the avenue till SW 7th Street. A parking area will be on the left. Near the parking lot, there is a trail that leads to the wetlands.
Photo: Roman Khomlyak
Photo Editing: Pavlo Petryshyn
Information: Marina Petrova
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