The City of Redmond’s Northeast Neighborhood Park has been officially named Smith Woods in honor of the Donald A. Smith family, the former residents of the property.

Still mostly undeveloped, Smith Woods provides an opportunity to stroll through a dense forest and past a small pond on meandering paths, including one created as an Eagle Scout project.

Located in the rapidly developing neighborhood just north of Northeast 122nd Street, between 176th Avenue Northeast and 178th Place Northeast, this 10-acre parcel was owned by Donald and Elaine Smith from about 1968–2011.

The Smiths lived in a home built by Donald on the east side of the property, where they also had a greenhouse, planted extensive gardens and trees and created a drainage pond. The west side of the property remains heavily wooded and contains extensive wetlands.

The city acquired six of the 10 acres in 2000 for use as a park and purchased the remaining four in 2011, two-years after Donald’s death. Redmond Parks and Recreation staff began maintaining the property and developed a master plan for its long-term usability as a neighborhood park.

As part the planning process, the Redmond Parks and Trails Commission — the  official advisory board to the mayor and City Council on matters related to Redmond’s parks, trails and recreational programming — recommended designating the property as Smith Woods. Council approved the decision last month.

Smith Woods is the first public park in the North Redmond neighborhood, which now is home to more than 4,000 residents. Implementation of the improvements in the master plan are scheduled to occur in the coming years contingent on the Parks Levy (Proposition 2) passing on the Aug. 4 ballot.