St. Mark's Greenbelt

St. Mark's Greenbelt is an urban park situated between Capitol Hill and Interstate 5, winding through dense forest and vegetation with multiple walking trails. The area spans several hundred meters and includes sections with varying plant communities, slopes, and terrain types throughout.

The City of Seattle protected this area as green space in 1993. The Streissguth family and other donors added more land in the late 1990s to expand the protected area.

The greenbelt serves residents as a place to experience nature within the urban landscape without leaving the neighborhood. The pathways and clearings show how the community values and uses this green space for everyday outdoor connection.

You can access the trails from the St. Mark's Cathedral parking lot, but the terrain includes steep sections. Wear shoes with good traction, as the ground can be muddy or slippery depending on the season.

A small creek runs through the western section and is supported by a network of above-ground and underground corrugated pipes. This system shows how the city manages natural water flow while maintaining the park's infrastructure.