Berntsen Park

810 Fourth AveNUE NW, Issaquah, WA 98027

 

Revitalizing a Creekside Community Green Space

Located near downtown Issaquah, Berntsen Park is a neighborhood green space nestled along Issaquah Creek, offering a valuable pocket of nature within the urban landscape. Once a homestead, the property was historically cleared for lawns and pasture, changing much of its original landscape. Over time, invasive plants, including Himalayan blackberry and English ivy, spread throughout the area, crowding out native vegetation and limiting the quality of wildlife habitat.

Issaquah Creek flows through the park and is part of an important watershed supporting salmon and other wildlife. Native trees and shrubs along creek banks play an essential role in maintaining healthy stream conditions by providing shade, stabilizing soil, filtering runoff, and contributing food and habitat to the aquatic ecosystem. Healthy streamside vegetation also supports birds, pollinators, and other wildlife that depend on connected natural spaces.

Our Restoration Work

The Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC) partnered with Green Issaquah/City of Issaquah to restore native habitat at Berntsen Park. From 2021 through 2023, volunteers participated in regular restoration events, removing invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, and English holly to make room for native vegetation.

A highlight was the April 2023 Arbor Day celebration, when volunteers joined then-Mayor Mary Lou Pauly to plant 55 trees and 22 shrubs throughout the park. The event showcased the power of community partnerships and shared commitment to caring for Issaquah's natural spaces.

Together, these efforts helped reestablish native vegetation, improve wildlife habitat, and strengthen the health of the Issaquah Creek corridor.

Restoration in Action

 
 

A Lasting Community Impact

The Berntsen Park restoration demonstrated how community partnerships and volunteer stewardship can make a meaningful difference in urban natural areas. Through invasive plant removal and native plantings, IATC, Green Issaquah, and community volunteers helped improve habitat diversity, strengthen this important Issaquah Creek corridor, and support the health of the larger watershed. Though small in size, Berntsen Park is an example of how local restoration efforts can create lasting ecological benefits while preserving natural spaces close to the heart of the community.

Explore Other Local Restoration Sites

Discover restoration efforts across the Issaquah Alps and surrounding communities:

Private Restoration Event Inquiry

Interested in organizing a group restoration event? Learn about the requirements and submit an inquiry to partner with IATC.