Feet First's 2nd annual 'Stairway Walks Day' Feb. 8 to include Eagle Landing Park

On Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. – Noon, Feet First will hold its second annual “Stairway Walks Day,” which will include Burien’s Eagle Landing Park. This event features 18 simultaneous walks across the region, which celebrate the legacy of several hundred publicly accessible stairways. The legendary stairs of Eagle Landing Park – with 289 steps – will serve as our local location:

“The remarkable Eagle Landing Park sits right above the Puget Sound in a quiet, woody residential part of Burien. We’ll start at Lake Burien Park and head down to Eagle Landing, coming across a viewing area to search for the bald eagles somewhere high among the trees. We’ll quickly reach the featured stairway, which is the fourth-longest in the region. After heading down all 289 steps, we’ll be treated to views of Vashon and Maury Islands across the Sound, and Three Tree Point southward down the beach.”

Here are the details for our local event: WALK LEADER: WABI Burien WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8; Walkers will gather at 9:45 a.m.. Walking will begin at 10 a.m.WHERE: Burien’s walk will BEGIN AT LAKE BURIEN PARK, 14640 18th Ave. (due to sparse parking at Eagle Landing Park). We will walk 6 blocks west along SW 149th St. until it curves around onto 25th Ave. SW and the entrance to Eagle Landing Park, 14641 25th Ave. SW. STATS: 0.4 miles: 289 steps down and 289 steps up, plus the 6 blocks to-and-from Lake Burien Park. (The metal steps are reached by a winding dirt path which starts at the park’s trailhead.) IMPORTANT NOTE: This walking event is FREE though REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CLICK HERE. The event is presented by Feet First and they require that walkers sign a liability waiver and photo release (permission to be photographed and published) in order to participate. Online registration includes acceptance of their terms. Some waiver/release forms will be available on the day of the walk for those unable to register online. If you’ve never climbed these stairs, here’s a video tour by Clemence Lafrades: [youtube]http://youtu.be/ASGz9hPSNCs[/youtube] WHAT: Stairway Walks Day 2014, featuring 18 unique stairway walks across the Puget Sound Region. WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. – Noon. WHERE: One walk in Burien, and seventeen others in Bellevue and various neighborhoods of Seattle. RSVP: Space is limited to 25 people per walk. Please RSVP in advance at www.feetfirst.org or stairwaywalks2014.brownpapertickets.com. Feet First Neighborhood Walking Ambassadors will lead 450 participants along several of the region’s most impressive stairways, collectively traversing up and down more than 100,000 steps. The stairway routes featured on Stairway Walks Day are from Cathy and Jake Jaramillo’s book Seattle Stairway Walks: An Up-and-Down Guide to City Neighborhoods. The book is intended to help urban adventurers appreciate the many stairways that make up the vivid fabric of our neighborhoods, and their connection to local greenspaces, history, art, and architecture. According to Neighborhood Walking Ambassador and author Cathy Jaramillo, “Seattle has a world-class network of more than 650 publicly accessible stairways, many well over 100 years old. Stairways make important walking connections to parks and transit, and they create scenic urban byways that are very fun to explore. Stairways are a valuable built legacy for us to enjoy and preserve!” Urban explorers are invited to join one of 18 guided neighborhood walks in Bellevue, Burien, and the following Seattle neighborhoods: Ravenna, Fremont, Maple Leaf, University District, Madrona, Eastlake, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Capitol Hill, Downtown, West Seattle, Mount Baker, Rainier Beach, and Seward Park. Feet First Executive Director Lisa Quinn adds, “Stairways provide a great way to exercise, improve health, and get to know a neighborhood. Stairway Walks Day encourages people to explore the Puget Sound Region’s unique and beautiful neighborhoods by walking.” For more information about Stairway Walks Day, please contact Drew DeVitis by emailing drew@feetfirst.org or calling 206-652-2310, ext. 5.]]>