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Community Corner

Moms Talk: Fun in the Spring Sun in Woodinville

Yes, that giant fireball in the sky is the actual sun.

That’s right folks, we are officially on the Spring Upswing. Say goodbye (at least for 6 months or so) to picking your kids up from school at sunset and sending them off before the sun has actually risen. Moms, good luck convincing your kiddos that it’s indeed bedtime when the sun is still out at 9 p.m. But do look forward to seeing their artwork come home with blue skies and bright yellow suns instead of grey clouds and raindrops. Today, we’re covering some cool places to go when it’s warm and also highlighting a newly-discovered, at least by me, resource for parents looking for indoor pools.

Hike – Woodinville offers plenty of park options. My favorite is which has ducks, an up-to-date playground facility, a cute walking trail and, most importantly, a clean restroom facility. They also have a which opens in June – but good luck getting into that pool on a sunny day! If you are looking for a more secluded family outing that doesn’t require packing the camping gear, head over to and take a short hike through the woods. Plenty of parking, a picnic table and BBQ facilities can be found at the Boys and Girls Club building. There is a trail map present, but it’s pretty impossible to get lost on the trails. It can be a bit wet, and to be frank, you will encounter some horse droppings, so throw on your rain boots and prepare to get a little muddy. I love the chance to just sit on a log with my little guy and talk. We’ve been multiple times and have yet to run into anyone else on this trail.

Washington Cathedral Pool – Did you know there was a pool at Washington Cathedral? Did you know it’s open to the public? I didn’t. I also didn’t know that they offer donation-based swimming lessons that are starting next month. This is a great alternative to joining an athletic club if you are budget conscience or are looking to test the waters (pun intended, of course) of pool safety. Offering an open swim option for tots and another option for entire families, I’m thrilled to find an indoor, local place to take our kids.

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What NOT to do? Outdoor Burning – If you live outside the permitted burn zone, which is most of Woodinville  including all areas west of Avondale Road and Paradise Lake Road, you cannot burn your yard debris. Even if you have a permitted detached fire pit, you are still required to burn only seasoned firewood or manufactured fire logs with no debris, branches or leaves. Seriously folks, if your neighbors complain about a smoky fire in your yard and the fire department has to put it out, it could cost you BIG time. A standard fine is $500.00 and you could be charged up to $500.00 per man hour for having an illegal fire. I know a lot of you are in the same boat as me…living on unincorporated Hollywood Hill under the burn ban with a ton of downed branches and leaves. I pay a local service to come chip it all. You could pay a waste company to come haul it away, which is crazy expensive or if you live in the city limits, you can try to bring it to the annual chipping event or you could stuff it in your yard waste containers (which hold about two 15 foot tree branches by the way). Do not, however, try to burn it. Your neighbors will report you and you will get a fine.

OK, enough with the Debbie-Downer fire safety lecture. Woodinville has a lot to offer our families and I’d love to hear about your favorites.

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