Today we’re visiting St Edwards State Park in Kenmore WA.
A former site for a Catholic seminary.
parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state...
The number to reserve a spot will also be below in the description. (425) 832-2147
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There is so much to cover about St Edwards State Park I’m breaking this video into two sections.
We’ll cover hiking opportunities, picnicking and the ability to reserve spaces for a special occasion in this video. The next video will focus on “The Lodge at St. Edward” along with its history.
I made an appointment with Park Ranger Kline who gave me a walking tour of the grounds.
The historic main buildings in St Edward’s State Park were Built between February and September 1931.
The Romanesque rival-style buildings were designed by Seattle architect John Gram. The lawn around the seminary was called the “Great Lawn”. There is a “perimeter trail” around the great lawn that students and instructors would walk after evening meal to reflect and meditate to prepare for the evening. The present seminary building is only ¼ the original plan. The original plan called for 4 separate buildings. The building is made of poured concrete. Lumber used to make the forms was cut and milled right on the property.
The gym was originally built of wood which burned in the 40s than rebuilt as you see it today. In the 60s a right wing was added. The Right wing now houses park development and education offices and the ranger’s office.
St Edwards was the first fully-accredited 12-year seminary in the United States
It closed in 1976 due to declining enrollment.
The 326-acre day-use area has large yards and 12 miles of developed trails and many “social trails.
St Edward’s State Park offers fantastic views of the surrounding area.
Trails are well maintained allowing for opportunities for getting into nature or just having a relaxing hike.
Walks along the undeveloped 3,000 Ft shore line are peaceful and gives visitors many opportunities to enjoy themselves.
The park is a very popular destination for family picnics, weddings, and other events. There are first-come first served picnic tables.
There are also 4 areas that you can call to reserve. The 4 areas are; the Orchard - Grotto - 2 unsheltered picnic areas, and a baseball field.
Baseball field - Seminary students played baseball and other sport activities here. During the rainy season, they held an annual “Mud Bowl” football in the mud. Now you can reserve this area. Games such as baseball, flag football and cricket are played in this area now.
The Orchard picnic area is close to the playground.
It’s in a small grove of apple and Cherry trees, it also has a stand-up B-B-Q grill and can hold up to 100 persons.
The Grotto, built in the 1940s made of poured concrete and river cobbles, is a sought-after location to rent for ceremonies. It can accommodate up to 120 persons.
There are 2 stone stairways leading down to the historic grotto. (Unfortunately making this specific area not handicapped accessible.) On Thanksgiving Day 1925 near this site (the founder) Bishop Edward O'Dea stood n a stump overlooking Lake Washington and declared, “This is where we will build the seminary. (the forest had been clear cut around the area at that time allowing for a panoramic view of the surrounding area and Lake Washington). There was a statue of Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests on the alter inside the Grotto. The letters above the opening AM stand for “Auspice Maria,” Latin for “under Mary’s protection.”
We can’t forget the large playground with lots of things to play on.
Which was built in 2001 by community members. St Edwards Park maintains it with repairs and once a year painting with linseed oil to preserve it.
Nuns Garden Used by the nuns who worked in the kitchen. It was an area they could go to for solitude and reflection. The nuns kept quite and beautiful garden during the time the seminary was open.
There is also a Heritage site - a former grave site of one of one of the first instructors at St Edwards Seminary. Before the property sale, to the park service, the body was removed and interned in another cemetery. The Round circle of rocks marks the spot where the grave and cross once stood. This area in now used for quiet medication and reflection.
#St. Edwards State Park #senior travel #AGLCA #great loop #Skandia Mid-Summer Fest #Swedish
27 апр 2024
