| Kirkland is located 10 miles east of Seattle in the Eastside community of cities. Kirkland is often described as the Eastside's most romantic town, as its location on Lake Washington affords dramatic views of sunsets, the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains. Marina Park is part of the downtown and provides a sandy beach, public marina and tour dock. During July and August, enjoy Music in the Park concert series, and during the holidays, Marina Park is the focus for the Holiday Christmas Ship tours and parade.Downtown is a mix of upscale art galleries, boutiques and an eclectic mix of great restaurants. Quaint outdoor cafes provide relaxed dining and plenty of people-watching opportunities.Short walks from the downtown include heading south on Lake Washington Boulevard past downtown parks, mansions and multimillion-dollar condominiums. At 1.2 miles, arrive at Carillon Point, rich in Kirkland history and home to a four-star hotel and great restaurants. A second stroll 1.3 miles north of the downtown area takes you through the historic homes of Kirkland, great views, and statues culminating at the unique 144-acre urban wildlife preserve which also provides historic markers of the area. Information provided by www.explorekirkland.com |
Kirkland, Washington
With its necklace of public parks, Kirkland’s amenities are not lost on residents or visitors. Kirkland is regionally known for its outstanding parks system. On sunny summer afternoons, Lake Washington Boulevard is filled with walkers, joggers, bicyclists, roller bladers, – and a few motorists – traversing the short mile from Marina Park to Carillon Point. Some are out for exercise, others for the lakeside sunsets and others still for kayak and canoe tours or volleyball on the sand courts.
While Kirkland is proud of its extensive and diverse set of waterfront parks, it offers a rich variety of neighborhood playgrounds, ball fields, walking trails, natural and landscaped open spaces and an outdoor public swimming pool.
Bridle Trails State Park is the largest park in Kirkland, with more than 20 miles of scenic equestrian trails winding through a forest. Yarrow Bay Wetlands and Juanita Bay Park are just two examples of the city’s successful effort to preserve the delicate balance of nature while allowing residents to enjoy its beauty. In all, Kirkland has preserved more of its waterfront in accessible parkland than any other city in the state.
Kirkland’s strong local economy is characterized by a healthy mix of small business, corporate headquarters, light industrial and manufacturing, and a growing base of high-tech and home-based businesses. Located in the midst of the booming Eastside economic market, many of Kirkland’s businesses indicated expansion plans in the near future. A competitive business climate, with no local Business and Occupation (B&O) tax, and high quality of life make Kirkland a desirable location for both local and world-class enterprises.
Each of Kirkland’s economic neighborhoods is distinct. Totem Lake is the drive of Kirkand’s economy with a concentration of high-tech, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution industries. It’s also home to Totem Lake Mall. Downtown and Carillion Point house an expanding financial and professional services sector attracted to Kirkland’s high quality environment and easy access. Neighborhood business districts in Juanita, Houghton and Bridle Trails serve local needs and provide support services to Kirkland regional businesses.
Kirkland is located on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, just north of Bellevue and west of Redmond. Access from the north or south is easy on I-405. To reach downtown, take exit 18 and follow the signs to Kirkland. For Totem Lake and north Kirkland neighborhoods, exit 20 is the best option off I-405. Exit 17 leads to both the Bridle Trails and Houghton neighborhoods. SRI 908 connects Kirkland with its bustling neighbor Redmond to the east, and follow SR 520 across Lake Washington to find Seattle to the west. Kirkland is just 10 miles east of downtown Seattle, and 20 minutes northeast of Sea-Tac International Airport.
Statistics
- Population: 49,000
- Area: 10.7 square miles
- Median Household Income: $78,060
- Average Rent: 1bd $1000; 2bd $1,100
- Median Prices (July/2009): Homes $470,000; Condos $266,750
Kirkland Links
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