| Saint Edward State Park is a 316-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington. Once a Catholic seminary, the park's rich history reflects in its grounds and architecture. Walks along the undeveloped lakeshore are peaceful and give the visitor many opportunities for nature study. There are 85 unsheltered picnic tables, all available first-come, first-served. The park also offers five unsheltered picnic areas for rental to groups. Each site accommodates up to 150 people with picnic tables and grills. The east and west ballfield vicinities have a ballfield with their picnic area. The north picnic area has an open play field and horseshoe pits. Portable volleyball standards are available to these picnic areas, but users must bring their own net and ball. There are also 20' x 20' canopies for rent. A big toy playground is popular with kids. Picnicking, hiking, soccer, fishing, handball, bicycling, swimming, racquetball, bird watching softball and horse trails also are in the Holmes Point area. Access to waterfront from the shore is by trail only. There is no vehicle access to the beach, which is undeveloped and unguarded. Boats may be launched at the Department of Fish and Wildlife ramp in Kenmore. This site was once used by Native Americans while fishing the area. In the late 1920s, the archbishop of Seattle donated the property to the Diocese of Seattle for use as a seminary by the Sulpician Order of Catholic Priests. In 1931, St. Edward Seminary was constructed. In the fall of 1977, because of declining enrollment and changes in the education of seminarians, the diocese sold 316 acres, including the seminary, to the state for use as a state park. In 1978, the property was dedicated and received its current name. |
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