Isaac Evans Park trail

Location: Auburn.

Length: About a half-mile each way.

Level of difficulty: Level-to-gentle paved path.

Setting: Celebrating fall in Puget Sound should certainly involve a visit to a local salmon-spawning stream. Dedicated in 1989, this lovely riverfront park gives an old-time, small-town feel. A sliver of almost 20 acres, the park follows the undulating curves of the Green River, and the Auburn Regional Golf Course across the road extends the expanse of greenery. Huge old cottonwoods dominate the grassy lawn, indicating the proximity of water, and big-leaf maples and Western red cedars add variety. Scattered picnic tables beckon visitors to come back for summer luncheons.

The park was named after an early pioneer who farmed along the Green River, and a suspension bridge connects to small Dykstra Park, a two-acre remnant of the dairy farm of another pioneer.

Highlights: The trees and shrubs overlooking the river provide shade to create decent fish habitat, and there is access to the river in several places to view spawning chinook and coho salmon. On a recent visit, two boys on bikes filled me in on the park's layout, and we spotted spawned-out salmon carcasses near the riverbank and within the river's depths.

Facilities: Restrooms (closed now for the winter) and playground.

Restrictions: Leash and scoop laws in effect.

Directions: From Interstate 5, take Highway 18 east to Auburn and take the Auburn-Enumclaw exit. At the end of the ramp, turn right on Auburn Way and head north. Turn right on Eighth Street Northeast, and after crossing over the Green River, turn left on 104th Avenue Southeast. In about three-quarters of a mile, turn left on Green River Road/Southeast 307th Place. The southern parking is on your left in about three-quarters of a mile.

Information: 253-931-3043 or www.auburnwa.gov.

Cathy McDonald, a Renton-based freelance writer, is a regular contributor to Northwest Weekend.