Miner's Corner

This 13-acre Snohomish County park in Bothell offers about a mile of trails, all of them wide, paved and ADA accessible. The park has a lot of open grassy areas, other areas where the trails pass through forest, and it has a large playground area. Wherever possible, native vegetation has been replanted or maintained. As in any urban park, it is easy to make your own adventure. Or, if you prefer to follow a suggested route, you could try the following loop.

To begin your hike, download a trail map from this county web page, which also offers additional information about the park. From the parking area, head east past the restrooms (the covered picnic shelter will be off to your right.) Continue on across the broad grassy meadow, passing under a powerline.

When you reach the forested eastern fringe of the park, the trail splits. Take the left branch and continue on north for a while, then bend west along the northern edge of the park, not far from 228th St SE. In spring, be alert for wildflowers here, and along all the park trails.

As your trail approaches 45th Ave SE, it bends left and continues on south near the street. Pass a trail that joins your route from the left; you'll come back via that trail in a few minutes. Continue on a short distance and reach a second trail that joins yours from the left. Head left on that trail.

When you reach the edge of the parking lot, stay left. And when the trail splits once more in 200 feet, take the left branch. That ongoing trail will circle around, passing two abstract sculptural pieces, labelled "Public Art" on the map, and rejoin your former southbound route at the intersection noted earlier.

This time, continue on south on that trail until you cross the park entrance road. When the trail splits, take the left branch. In about 200 feet, when the trail forks, take the right fork. Continue on as this trail meanders through the most heavily forested part of the park. In about 500 feet, at a trail fork, continue on straight.

In about a quarter mile, come to a familiar intersection that you passed early in your hike. Turn left there and head back across the meadow and under the power line to return to the restroom area.

All that remains is to explore the playground area that is off to your left. Young visitors will need no urging, but adults should check it out too. It includes a massive tower structure and many sculptural forms. The "Lookout Tower," rising from the bottom of a small hill, is touted as "one of the tallest ramp-accessible play features in the world." Yes, the tower, like the park trails, is ADA-accessible.

Nature Note

On your hike it's likely you will have seen a few wildflowers. Particularly in spring, be alert for Nootka rose, buttercups, lupine, creeping raspberry, thimbleberry, avens, fringe cup, and nettles — all these are native species, but you may see a few invasive species, too.

And be alert for a seasonally-changing variety of birds. If you are a bird enthusiast, bring your guidebook and binoculars and try to identify as many as you can. If you have a really good day with some unusual wildlife or wildflower sightings, consider sharing your experiences in a trip report.

Background

The park opened in January 2014. Many locals recall the property was purchased and the park developed as "partial mitigation" for the Brightwater sewage treatment plant, located about 1.5 miles to the east. That facility, operated by King County but located in Snohomish County, was hugely controversial at the time. The location and design of Miner's Corner park also had some local critics. However, in the time that Miner's Corner has been open, the many visitor comments posted on Yelp have been overwhelmingly favorable. So it is likely you will enjoy your visit here.