7 South Sound Bike Paths for Kids on Wheels
Photo:
Credit: Tiffany Doerr Guerzon
Lake Wilderness Park, Maple Valley
This jewel of a park in Maple Valley offers generous parking, brand-new playground equipment, paved paths, bathrooms, benches, picnic tables and even lake swimming in the summer. Enter the park on the right side of the parking lot opposite the lake. The paved trail curves around, passing a baseball diamond and the playground. Continue to the left, cross a small bridge and follow around toward the lake, ending at the dock. The lake is a beautiful place to pause and catch your breath. There are ducks, geese and often eagles.
In summer there is a roped-off swimming area with a lifeguard (check the website for swim times). Head back toward the playground and there is a paved loop that goes right around the playset area. You could even push a younger child on the swings while the older one goes around and around. Fuel — or reward — your ride with a treat from popular Crown Donut a couple of miles away.
Find it: Lake Wilderness Park is located at 22500 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley
Next stop: Chehalis Western Trail
