by Christina Hirsch with the Seattle Parks Department

Longfellow Creek and the Community

Beginning in Roxhill Bog, Longfellow Creek flows under a shopping plaza, next to schools, in back yards, through the West Seattle Golf Course, and along other open and natural areas. The Creek goes underground before it empties into the West Waterway of the Duwamish which flows into Elliott Bay and eventually into Puget Sound.

Many community members, from organizations to individuals, work hard to keep Longfellow Creek healthy and accessible. Twenty-five years ago, two community plans laid out a vision for improved access to Longfellow creek. The Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail was developed by neighbors in partnership with government, businesses, non-profits, and schools. Formal tours and stewardship opportunities—like planting trees and monitoring water quality and salmon—provide hands-on connections to the Creek. Many schools in the area participate in arts, environmental education, and other programs along the Creek.

Longfellow Creek is a natural link among communities throughout Delridge, High Point, and Westwood neighborhoods. While many consider it a natural wonder, the Creek’s benefit to people, plants, and animals can be hidden from view. To bring light to Longfellow Creek’s contributions, the City of Seattle and community partners are hosting a celebration of the creek and we want you to join!

Celebrate 25+ years at the Creek

Bring your neighbors, friends, and family to celebrate over 25 years of community engagement with Longfellow Creek on November 5, 2017. The fun will kick off at the corner of 28th Ave SW and SW Dakota St* and run from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. All ages are encouraged to come participate in activities like exploring the Dragonfly Pavilion and Salmon Bone Bridge, caring for garden beds, creating a postcard inspired by Longfellow Creek, looking inside a salmon, and enjoying guided nature walks. 

Please RSVP at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LongfellowCreek
Questions? Email Sheryl.Shapiro@Seattle.gov or call (206) 615-1443.
*In case of heavy rain, the celebration will be relocated to the Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106). You can call (206) 615-1443 at 11:oo a.m. on Sunday, November 5 for updates on relocation. 

Dragonfly Pavilion and Salmon Bone Bridge

Let your imagination soar when you see the giant salmon bones and 16-foot-tall dragonfly—two copper sculptures on the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail.

Postcards from the Creek

Meet your creek is an art project by Vaughn Bell, an artist who lives in the creek watershed. Create unique, hand-made postcards based on your observations and understanding of Longfellow Creek. You will get the chance to mail the postcard to a friend or loved one, or to donate it to the postcard archive which may be displayed in the community. Images of the postcards will be shared online at the Meet Your Creek blog.

Salmon: Look inside

You may know how a fish swims, but do you know how it eats, breathes, and reproduces? You’ll discover the swimming, eating, breathing, and reproducing systems—and you can touch them (if you want to)!

Nature Walk

At 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. local naturalists will guide you through the park and open spaces on a flat, wide trail. See and learn about the creek, salmon, and the wide variety of plants and their historical uses.