Cal Anderson Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 4, 2025
Cal Anderson Park is a popular urban park located in the heart of Seattle, Washington.
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Summary
The park covers 7.5 acres and offers a variety of attractions for visitors to enjoy. There are a number of good reasons to visit the park, including its beautiful green spaces, scenic views of the city skyline, and diverse range of activities available.
One of the main attractions of Cal Anderson Park is its large reflecting pool, which is surrounded by benches and walking paths. The park also features a number of sports fields, including a basketball court and a soccer field, as well as a playground and picnic areas. Visitors can also enjoy the park's walking and biking paths, which connect to other areas of the city.
In addition to its recreational offerings, Cal Anderson Park is also known for its historical significance. The park was named after Cal Anderson, a Washington state legislator who was instrumental in securing funding for the park's development. The park was also the site of a major protest during the 1999 World Trade Organization meetings, which resulted in the arrests of hundreds of demonstrators.
The best time of year to visit Cal Anderson Park depends on personal preferences and interests. During the summer months, the park is often bustling with activity and events, including concerts, festivals, and outdoor movie screenings. However, some visitors may prefer the quieter atmosphere of the park in the fall or spring, when the weather is milder and the crowds are smaller.
Overall, Cal Anderson Park is a must-visit destination for anyone in the Seattle area. Whether you're looking for outdoor recreation, historical landmarks, or simply a beautiful green space to relax in, the park has something for everyone to enjoy.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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