Mountlake Terrace: Lake Ballinger, Parks, and Public Art

Mountlake Terrace can be explored through several distinct features: Lake Ballinger, trails with different purposes, several parks, and publicly accessible art. When choosing destinations for your stay, water activities, trail lengths, and park amenities offer different points of interest. Art lovers can also find a designated route and a recurring exhibition.

Lake Ballinger and Its Shoreline

Lake Ballinger covers 100 acres and lies within the cities of Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds. Ballinger Park, which covers 55 acres, is located along the north and east shores. Its features include a multi-purpose sports complex, a community center, a 42-acre nature park area, and a boat launch. The 42 acres refers to the nature park area within the larger park.

On the east shore, the boat launch provides one of the few public opportunities on the lake for boating, fishing, and swimming. Seasonal conditions can vary, so check current conditions before your visit if you plan to take part in any of these activities.

Trails with Different Focuses

The Lakeview Trail is one mile long, paved, non-motorized, and designed as a multi-use trail. It connects the regional Interurban Trail at 228th Street SW with the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center and Freeway Station. Along Lakeview Drive, the trail is 12 feet wide and separates pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists from traffic.

The Interurban Trail follows the route of the former Interurban Railway, which was used to transport timber from Everett to Seattle. The trails therefore bring together a modern multi-use path and a historically significant railway corridor.

Parks for Walks and a Variety of Activities

Terrace Creek Park covers 60 acres and offers paved and natural-surface trails, play equipment, picnic facilities, an open lawn, and an 18-hole disc golf course. A one-mile, partially wooded trail runs along Lyon Creek. The park’s woods are also home to an approximately three-quarter-acre, fully fenced off-leash dog park.

At Matt Hirvela/Bicentennial Park, a volunteer-built trail loops around the entire park. Other park features include a pavilion, a lending library, paved walking paths, play equipment, a monument, picnic areas, and natural areas. Beyond these individual amenities, Mountlake Terrace’s park system includes more than 269 acres of recreational facilities.

Public Art and History

The city’s public art is accessible to view; the Arts Advisory Commission selects the collection and maintains its documentation. The MLT Art Map guides visitors on a two-mile walking or driving route through downtown, where they can see nearly all the public art installations. For comparison, the Lakeview Trail is one mile long and connects trails and transit facilities, while the longer MLT route puts public art at its center.

Arts of the Terrace is a recurring exhibition featuring a broad range of work, including paintings, prints, drawings, miniatures, photography, three-dimensional works, and crafts. The history of Veterans Memorial Park also has a specific date: in 1969, its active-use area had a flagpole and a plaque commemorating all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Indoor Pool at the Recreation Pavilion

The Recreation Pavilion has a 25-yard indoor pool. Amenities include a leisure pool with a zero-depth entry, water play features, and a lazy river with a current. Access conditions and programs may change; check current information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Lake Stevens, Arlington, Gold Bar, Mukilteo, Index, Mill Creek, Stanwood, Monroe.

View the broader travel overview: Snohomish.