Date:	Saturday, October 17, 2009
Trip Types:	Canoeing, Hiking
Plan:	Guided by a park ranger, we will explore the beautiful Mercer Slough Nature Park by water on this 2.5-hour canoe trip from Enatai Beach Park. We’ll see how this amazing ecosystem functions as we travel into the heart of Mercer Slough Nature Park, a 320 acre wetland and discover the multiple benefits derived from the City of Bellevue’s second largest park. With a little luck we may catch a glimpse of the otters, herons, turtles and other wildlife of Mercer Slough.
Report:	Due to the torrential downpour on Lake Washington we decided the safety as too questionable to go canoeing. Instead we drove a short distance to the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center and hiked the trails through the slough and past the blueberry farm. Along the way we stopped in the historic Winters House where one of the oldest-living Bellevue natives told us about the history of the area. The staff at the Bellevue parks Department were incredibly helpful and there are many opportunities to partner with them in enriching out trips.
Suggestions:	This is a great destination for a close-to-town trip. And again, the staff at the Bellevue Parks Department are INCREDIBLY helpful and they have a variety of enrichment programs to tap into.

Photos

Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park	Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park	Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park	Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park
Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park	Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park	Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park	Sat., Oct. 17, 2009 [Showalter] Enatai Beach Park