Marymoor Park Redmond WA, Heart of the Eastside
Concerts, Outdoor Movies, Velodrome, Map and Driving Directions
Jul 5, 2009
Marymoor Park in Redmond WA is the heart of Seattle’s Eastside. This park gives visitors the best of small town Washington, packed in a happy 640 acres. Marymoor plays out something for all Eastsiders: Summer concerts, outdoor movies, a bicycle velodrome, a rowing club, sports fields, climbing walls, an off-leash dog park, and a bike trail that goes all the way to the big city.
Marymoor Park in Redmond Washington
This place is beautiful, even when presented to jaded Seattleites, who think nothing of seeing bald eagles in their backyards. Thank God, this former farm became the first King County Park in 1962, before someone like Disney could make it into a theme park, or worse, condos. Marymoor is about 2 miles from the main Microsoft Campus, and 11 miles from Seattle (15 from the skyscrapers), but it is a crush of greenbelt in the middle of the Redmond building boom.
Map of Marymoor and Driving Directions
Here are the Driving Directions to Marymoor. Park goers can take a bus (routes 249 and 256), which drop off at the West Entrance near the Rowing Club. However, the easiest ways to get to Marymoor are by car ($1.00 parking) or bike, along the Sammamish River Trail.
For a map of the park, click the photo below. It shows the road and the parking lots near the velodrome, music concerts, and movies, in an easy to read format.
Concerts at Marymoor
Marymoor has an outdoor amphitheater, with comfy seating or a place on the grass, ala Woodstock, only much, much smaller. Baby Boomers and younger music freaks can wig out to real live rock and roll. Wow, music without a famous DJ?
Unfortunately, tickets cost a bit more than they did in the 60s, but the good news is that they only let 4,500 people into a concert. Pray for clear skies.
Get concert tickets at Ticketmaster.com, call 206-628-0888, or purchase at Marymoor Park, weekdays 9am-3pm with a credit card. Look for signs in the park for "Box Office". Day-of-show tickets are sometimes available, but require cash.
- Reserved seating (for 1700 people) is directly in front of the stage and chairs are provided.
- General Admission (festival seating) is open about 1-2 hours prior to show (depending upon temperamental musicians), so get there early for a good place on the grassy hill. It is first come, first served.
- Blankets and low-to-the-ground beach chairs are allowed, but not regular lawn or patio chairs.
- It’s ok to come early, with a picnic: no glass containers, no alcohol.
- Parking for concerts is $5.
There are no rain-out cancellations, so bring an umbrella or jacket, if necessary.
2009 Concerts at Marymoor:
- July 5: Princess Di’s favorite pretty boys: Duran Duran.
- July 11: No Depression Festival: Alternative country and roots music.
- July 16: Yeah, everyone's favorite: Counting Crows.
- July 17: The Decemberists
- July 18 & 19: Death Cab for Cutie.
- August 21: Flaming Lips. Ouch!
- August 22: Foreigner. Yeah, Baby!
- August 27: Rush Limbaugh faves, the Pretenders. Joke for fans.
- September 17: Flogging Molly.
Outdoor Movies
For people who missed out on drive-in movies, try Marymoor’s free ($5 suggested donation) outdoor movies, shown on a giant inflatable movie screen. Bring a blanket or low-backed beach chair, and flashlight, to MacNair Field. Seating at 7pm, movies at dusk. See map below:
- July 29th – Coraline (PG)
- August 5th – The Muppet Movie (G)
- August 12th – The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG)
- August 19th – The Goonies (PG)
Marymoor Velodrome Association
Marymoor Velodrome Association gives bicycling classes for kids 5-8 years. Get them addicted young for only $20 and let them pee-wee race on Friday night. Kids from 9-16 can have some serious fun racing at Velokids classes. It’s not too late to get involved.
Adults have classes for all abilities, though, one of the requirements is that they must be able to ride a bike.
- Call: (206) 957- 4555 to see what classes are open.
- Click: velodrome.org
Sammamish Rowing Association
Sammamish Rowing Association is one of the largest rowing clubs in the area. This is a low cost club with no membership dues. There are youth and adult scholarships based upon need. And, crew has always been big at the University of Washington. Great women athletes are in demand at UW (as are young men). Think possible scholarship. SRA youth classes accommodate local school schedules. Sounds good. Check it out.
SRA also has classes for adults with disabilities. It is inspiring to hear how they bring rowing, and independence, to people who can leave their wheelchairs and crutches behind. What a fabulous program. Hopefully, many people will read about this and donate time or money to the cause. The gift of being out on the water is so stirring and nurturing.
Get directions and contact info for Sammamish Rowing Association.
More at MarymoorClick on the photo at the bottom to see a map of sports fields for cricket, soccer, baseball, and the dog park. There is a very cool climbing wall (outdoors) near the velodrome. And, remember that the Sammamish River Trail goes all the way to Gas Works Park, and beyond.
For people who live on Seattle's Eastside, there is no finer place than Marymoor. It's a great place to make friends. Kids love the squirrels. Pups love the dog park. And, people should welcome some fine rock and roll summer concerts, free (or donation) outdoor movies, the velodrome, rowing club, and all the happiness of strolling through the greenest of green spaces, Redmond's beloved Marymoor Park.
Maps are based upon recent King County information. If the numbering for soccer fields needs updating, please comment.
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