Hamlin Park

The oldest park in the City of Shoreline is Hamlin Park, named for one of the original homesteaders on this land. Hamlin Park is located in the Ridgecrest neighborhood. Hamlin has two distinctive areas to enjoy. One half is the traditional recreational park activities like ball-fields and play equipment. The other half is a heavily wooded forest full of walking trails. Because the park was acquired back in the 40s, the forest is full of large second growth trees. The topography is hilly as well making for good trail running. Hamlin Park has also put in an orienteering course with the partnership of Cascade Orienteering. They offer a route map and booklet. Throughout the forest are several vegetation study areas, where native plants are growing. The shape of the park makes it interesting. Hamlin Park is surrounded by Kellogg Middle School, Shorecrest High School, the Fircrest Complex, and some other city maintenance buildings. So, there are trails weaving here and there to reach all kinds of different events that may be happening. Some of the park amenities are ball fields, a T-ball field, to play structure areas, picnic shelters, tables and benches. You will also find two naval cannons in the park and wonder, what they could possibly be doing in such an obscure place. In 1923 the US Navy purchased nearby land and built a hospital. The two cannons are reported to be from the Spanish-American War's Battle of Manila Bay. They are said to have been put in the park when the hospital was next door.

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