Yost Park

Yost Park is a small (48 acres) park in the heart of Edmonds, not far from our place. It has about 1 1/2 miles of trails and is not busy at this time of year. When I was there, there were three cars in the large parking lot. That day I took a walk in the park.

Nearest the road that leads to the large parking lot there is a tennis/pickle ball court. The day I was there, there were two players just getting organized.

Moving down the hill from the courts there is a small playground for children.

The pool is closed this time of year but in the summer months it enjoys good crowds. It is the only outdoor pool in Edmonds so is popular during the warm season.

 The trails range from a wide abandoned street that runs from the parking lot to the east. It is great for wheelchair and stroller users. Other trails seem to be pretty well maintained but some are steep and most are narrow.

 Shell Creek runs through the park down the hill from the east. One trail (Shell Creek Trail) wanders along and back and forth across the creek. Others circumnavigate the park or crisscross it at various points.

 There are several good bridges, although I noticed some with handrails that had been smashed by falling limbs or small trees. There is also a boardwalk that comprises part of the Shell Creek Trail.

In the early part (1902?) of the last century the Yost family dammed the creek and ran a pipe down to Edmonds, furnishing clean fresh water to the new town. Several times I saw remnants of the concrete dams and pools left over from the old water works.

It was interesting to explore the park in the fall. I'll go back to observe the changes brought by the other seasons.