UW Bothell-Cascadia Community College Wetlands

For over 100 years, the land encompassing the UW Bothell wetlands had been flat developed farmland with the North Creek relegated to a nearly straight irrigation ditch. That changed in 1997, when the campus was developed and one of Washington State's largest wetland reclamation projects started. Now, 53 acres have been transformed back into self-regulating wetlands.

The UW Bothell-Cascadia Community College wetlands trail is a short connector trail running through the campus next to this large new wetlands area. The trail consists of a largely flat, wide paved urban trail running roughly north/south through the area and a single elevated boardwalk spur running east farther into the wetlands. The southern end connects with the Sammamish River Trail at the confluence of the river and North Creek. The northern end conveniently connects to the North Creek trail after a short sidewalk walk on the overpass over I-405.

Included along the trail are several interpretive/educational signs regarding the bird life in the area, how beavers interact with the environment, history of the area, etc. If you have additional time there are two homes of original European settlers of the area on campus, the Truly house and the Chase house. The wetlands are also supported by the Sarah Simonds Green Conservatory, a research and teaching space with a small demonstration garden near the north end of the trail.

Near the boardwalk spur, there is a touching veterans memorial for those local graduates who did not return from their service. Lastly, the Bothell Pioneer Cemetery is easily accessible just a couple blocks west of the trail right outside of campus and is the final resting place of many early settlers.