Lake Tye—Greenbelt Park preserves history and scenery
Quick Facts:
Location: City of Monroe
Land Agency: Monroe Parks and Recreation Department
Roundtrip: 1.6 miles
Elevation Gain: None
Notes: Dogs must be on leash.
Access: From Everett follow US 2 east towards Monroe. Turn right at first traffic light onto Fryelands Boulevard. Continue for .7 mile to junction with Wales Street. Turn right into large parking area at Lake Tye Park.
Contact: City of Monroe Parks and Recreation Department, (360) 863-4557; www.ci.monroe.wa.us
Good to Know: Urban Trail, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, snowfree winter hike
The Snohomish County city of Monroe has seen explosive growth since SR 522 came to town in the early 1970s. A former sleepy city of 2,700 in 1973, Monroe is now a bustling residential and commercial center of more than 20,000. Once surrounded by extensive dairy farms, tract housing and strip developments have replaced many of the cows. Of course change is inevitable and how good or bad it is all depends on your perspective.
On the western edge of Monroe, you can walk between the new and old Monroe at Lake Tye Park. Sitting on the sprawling Snohomish County floodplain, the park and lake buffers new development from further encroaching upon some of the last remaining farmland in the valley. The park was established as mitigation for recent developments. To the east of this 64 acre park, rows of tidy homes fill the landscape. To the west, farmlands fill the backdrop. In exchange for allowing high density housing to be built within the city limits, Monroe residents gained a wonderful park complete with playfields, swim area and trails. For hikers and walkers, the latter amenity is the most important!
A 1.6 mile paved trail circumnavigates 42-acre manmade Lake Tye. Besides being a delightful destination for winter hiking when the area high country is blanketed in snow; the paved level trail is also perfect for runners, walkers pushing strollers, and wheelchair-bound users. The lake is surrounded by manicured lawns and non-native Norway maples and European sycamores. Leafless in winter, these attractive hardwoods flaunt their stuff during the autumn months with colorful displays.
Lake Tye is also a good place for birdwatching. Moorhens, cormorants, and herons are year round residents while geese, grebes, swans, and other waterfowl make seasonal visits. Lake Tye is scenic too. Hike here on a sunny day and be greeted with nice views of the surrounding mountains and hills. To the west, Lord Hill rises above working farms. To the north and east, Mounts Pilchuck and Stickney hover above the small city. If you desire longer walking, paved paths extend throughout the adjacent neighborhoods and connect to several community parks.
Tye was named after a long gone platted “city” built when the railroad came to the area in the late 1800s. This community as well as nearby Wales have since been absorbed into Monroe. Lake Tye honors that nearly forgotten chapter of Monroe’s history. A walk around the tranquil lake however, will not be soon forgotten.
For more information on Lake Tye and many other great destinations in western Snohomish County, Whidbey Island, and Camano Island, pick up a copy of my best selling Urban Trails Everett (Mountaineers Books).
