Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A favorite hunting ground for runners, personal trainers and artistically tattooed
sunbathers, scenic Green Lake Park surrounds a small natural lake created by a
glacier during the last ice age. In the early 1900s, city planners lowered the lake's
water level by 7ft, increasing the shoreline to preserve parkland around the lake.
After the lowering, however, Ravenna Creek, which fed the lake, no longer flowed
through. Green Lake became stagnant and filled with stinky green algae. Massive
dredging efforts to keep it a navigable lake continue, although the lake remains
prone to algae blooms.
Two paths wind around the lake, but these aren't enough to fill the needs of the
hundreds of joggers, power-walkers, cyclists and in-line skaters who throng here
daily. In fact, competition for space on the trails has led to altercations; the city
government now regulates traffic on the paths. With this in mind, beware the syn-
chronized roller-skating couples holding hands; they're not dangerous, but they
may induce nausea.
Green Lake also has a soccer field, bowling green, baseball diamond, basketball
and tennis courts, plus boat, bike and in-line-skate rentals. Two sandy swimming
beaches line the lake's northern end.
DON'T MISS…
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Walking path
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Beaches
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Boat rentals
PRACTICALITIES
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MAP
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