Juanita Woodlands
As drivers and cyclists head westward on 116th Avenue past Juanita Village and Juanita Bay Park, they ascend on Juanita Drive above Lake Washington’s northeastern shores. Within minutes, the sight of businesses and hillside homes is replaced by towering canopies of Douglas fir trees–a lush 40-acre urban forest amidst the neighborhoods on Big Finn Hill’s eastern slopes. As they pass by, commuters may notice a blue sign that identifies the stand as the “Juanita Woodlands Park.” What they may not know is that just a few years ago, this impressive stand of trees was marked for removal and replacement by a subdivision.
Over a five-year period, the community banded together to save the woodlands. Today, thanks to the efforts of local residents, businesses and government representatives, the grove is now a park that preserves an important habitat for native species and provides countless benefits for humans, including recreational opportunities–not to mention beautiful roadside scenery.