Cecil Moses Memorial Park

Location: Tukwila.

Length: About a half-mile; connects to 9-mile-long Duwamish/Green River Trail.

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

Setting: The Green River Trail crosses the Duwamish River in this important location, where extensive mixing of fresh and salt waters creates a key transition zone for young salmon moving downstream to Puget Sound. On the west side of the bridge, Cecil Moses Memorial Park offers a look at a fenced-off slough and marsh recently created to increase habitat, while a 2.5-acre site on the east side of the river also is undergoing restoration. A row of gigantic poplars in golden fall foliage sweeps south of the bridge between the river and the trail.

Highlights: When water levels are low, note the rocks off the north side of the bridge near the eastern shore. This is a Native American cultural site known as North Wind's Weir. According to Southern Puget Sound Salish tradition, there once was a war between the North Wind people and the Chinook Wind people who lived further up the Duwamish. North Wind covered the land with ice and snow, and stretched a dam of ice across the river to keep the salmon from running upstream and therefore starve the Chinook Wind people. Eventually, the ice weir was shattered, its remnants were turned to stone, and the ice and snow retreated.

Facilities: Restrooms in Cecil Moses Park on west side of river.

Restrictions: Leash and scoop laws in effect.

Directions: From Interstate 5 southbound, take Exit 158, turn right off the exit ramp on the South Boeing Access Road and turn left on Tukwila International Boulevard. Turn right on South 112th Street, and park at the end of the road by the river. Heading northbound on I-5, take Exit 157, turn left on South Boeing Access Road, and follow as above.

Bus: Metro Route 174 provides service near the park. 206-553-3000 or http://transit.metrokc.gov.

Information: 206-296-1909; http://dnr.metrokc.gov/Wrias/9/index.htm or www.historylink.org.

 

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