Redmond’s New Downtown Park: Urban Play Space Both Parents and Kids Will Love

Redmond has a lot to offer families, including expansive Marymoor Park, miles of bike trails and Molly Moon’s legendary ice cream. Now local residents and visiting families have another reason to linger in town: the new Redmond Downtown Park. This new park offers a groovy central spot to chill, space to run, splashing fountains and community connections in an urban sanctuary. 

The park's grand opening on a recent drizzly fall day may not have exactly been ice cream or splash pad weather, but it did little to damper the mood of the excited youngsters — and grown-ups — who flocked to the long-awaited park.

Armed with umbrellas and raincoats, visitors big and small explored the vibrant park’s offerings, running through the playful splash pad fountains, grabbing take-out lunches from local restaurants and hunting for dragons in a unique digital scavenger hunt — part one of the exciting lineup of events featured on opening day — as they awaited the official ribbon-cutting ceremony later that afternoon. 

The two-acre park has been designed as a “community gathering space” to bring people together and encourage creativity and discovery — and we're on board. At the core is a plaza that will host a plethora of outdoor concerts, festivals and other events at the mobile Moving Art Stage. First up: the opening night’s captivating theatrical performance by artist Lucia Neare. Next: a fall concert series featuring local musicians.

While there is no actual playground, a large grassy field at one end, scattered with leafy trees and circled with walking paths, offers plenty of space for a round of tag or a cartwheel contest.

Right across from the field is the spacious splash pad, with both a big-kid and a mini-fountain tot area that invite all manners of water fun.

There are benches for abundant parent seating, too — always a plus. A raised deck to the side houses the Dining Grove, stacked with colorful tables and chairs, including a precious miniature version so little ones can share a bite with friends.

There's no shortage of nearby, picnic-worthy grab-and-go options, from delish sammies at Homegrown, to local fave Zeeks Pizza to Mediterranean goodies at Garlic Crush (try their excellent-value kids’ combo). For dessert, grab a sweet treat from Hoffman’s Fine Cakes and Pastries right across the street or snag a cone at Molly Moon’s. Pro tip: Run off some of those sugar highs around the park before heading home!

On the other side of the park, you'll spot a neat mirrored-roof pavilion that mesmerized kids and adults trying to get a glimpse of their reflections overhead.

Designed as a place to relax, sip a drink or even twirl in a dance, the circular gazebo offers a sheltered spot for all-weather fun, and features a one-of-a-kind water wall that will display changing digital art installations — an awesome way to expose kiddos to new art forms.  

During the opening celebration, Redmond’s own artist-in-residence Maja Petric was the first to have her work showcased, followed by a glowing LED installation by artist Jill Anholt (don't worry if you missed it; the lights are here to stay nightly).

Art, music, outdoor playdates, learning to scoot or casual family strolls — whichever way you use it, this new in-town gathering space is a win in our book.