Deer Park

Deer Park is the largest park in the city of Everett, Washington, encompassing 197 acres of diverse landscapes and recreational opportunities. Established in the 1930s as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal, the park was developed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), whose well-built structures can still be admired today.

The park features a mix of terraced hillsides and wooded areas, offering visitors a variety of experiences within its boundaries. A network of trails winds through the park, including soft wooded paths, moss-lined stairs, aged service roads, and boot paths. This trail system allows visitors to design their own routes or follow a combination of the 13 hill climb courses, which can provide up to 4.9 miles of hiking with 1,105 feet of elevation gain.

For those interested in nature education, Deer Park offers a self-guided nature tour along its upper ridge trail, featuring informational markers created by a local Boy Scout troop. The park also includes two permanent orienteering courses, providing an opportunity for visitors to practice navigation skills.

In addition to its natural features, Deer Park boasts several recreational facilities. These include a playground, an indoor swimming pool, and a summer spray park for cooling off on warm days. The park's extensive parking lot curbs even serve as makeshift balance training equipment for fitness enthusiasts.

Deer Park's history as a zoo is still evident, though the animal inhabitants are long gone. From 1914 to the 1970s, the park housed a variety of creatures, starting with just a few deer, coyotes, and pelicans, and eventually expanding to include more exotic animals like bison, elk, zebras, and even an elephant named Rosie.

Today, Deer Park serves as a vital green space in Everett, offering residents and visitors alike a place to connect with nature, engage in physical activities, and enjoy the legacy of Depression-era public works projects.