A Quick Guide to Kirkland, WA: Amenities & Neighborhoods

If you're interested in homes for sale in Kirkland, WA, nobody knows Kirkland or the greater Puget Sound area better than the agents at Better Properties Eastside. Professional, knowledgeable, and always working in your best interests, count on us to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Here's some background on Kirkland, Washington's 12th-largest city, dubbed "The Little City that could".

History

Located on the shores of Lake Washington east of Seattle, Kirkland was for centuries home to Native Americans before the first English settlers arrived in the 1860. In 1886 the city's namesake, Peter Kirk, moved to Washington in search of opportunities for his family's steel company. It was Kirk who understood that a city built on the lake would be ideally positioned as a freshwater port to the Pacific Ocean, courtesy of the Lake Washington Ship Canal which was in the process of being designed when he arrived. Since its incorporation in 1905, Kirkland's geographic boundaries have grown to 12x their original proportions. In the 1940s, and again in the 1960s, the city almost doubled in size.

Cultural Attractions

Kirkland's downtown waterfront is one of the most vibrant waterfronts you'll find in Washington state. Along with beaches, public parks, and plenty of well-rated restaurants, the waterfront boasts an impressive fine arts scene: this includes a performing arts center, several art galleries, and an exceptional public art collection, of which many pieces are bronze sculptures. The city has three designated landmarks: Heritage Hall (built in 1922), the Peter Kirk Building (built in 1890), and the Kirkland Woman's Club (built in 1925).

Amenities

Dozens of waterfront parks, linked by a paved path, line the shores of Lake Washington, and are popular with residents year-round. Arguably the most popular of these is Juanita Beach Park, whose scenic vistas have made it a must-see tourist attraction. Also, part of Saint Edward State Park is in Kirkland, and the Bridle Trails State Park for equestrians is nearby. Kirkland was the first city in Washington to adopt a "Complete Streets" ordinance which incorporates bicycle and pedestrian needs and facilities into all road improvement and construction projects. And in 2009 the city passed its Active Transportation Plan, which calls for consistent improvements to facilities used by cyclists, pedestrians, and equestrians.

Neighborhoods

One of Kirkland's many appealing features is its diverse array of 13 neighborhoods. The downtown Market neighborhood is a hub of activity and a popular destination for fine dining, exploring, and nights out. This neighborhood is also where you'll find a few of the city's biggest parks, including Waverly Beach Park and Marina Park, adjacent to the Moss Bay neighborhood. Other neighborhoods include Bridle Trails, South Juanita, and North Rose Hill, Kirkland's largest neighborhood.

Schools

Kirkland is in the Lake Washington School District. The city is home to 12 elementary schools, five middle schools, and two high schools. Northwest University and Lake Washington Technical College are in Kirkland, and Bastyr University, in nearby Kenmore, borders Kirkland to the northwest. For more information on everything Kirkland, as well as data regarding schools, home prices/availability, and Kirkland's business sector, contact Better Properties Eastside today.