Blue Lake Park Revisited - Fairview - 8.7.25

 It's been nearly 19 years since I first photographed the playgrounds at Blue Lake Park, and 10 years since my last visit. 

So... what does it look like now?

I'm not going to lie. It's kind of sad.

For one thing, there really isn't anything new. The three play structures that we saw in 2015 are still there. Only one of those is new since 2006.

The nature area (from 2015) lost a few items, including the log crossing, the sandbox, and the bird's nest.

It did, however, gain this random boat...

The musical instrument is still there...

And these cool rocks...

And whatever this is...

The splash pad is looking a little more colorful. This is what it looked like in 2015...

And now in 2025...

Nearby, there's a sadder one. I haven't previously photographed it, but you know it's been there a long while...

The nature area has grown up a bit, and looks nice...

Though calling it a "play area" is a bit generous.

You may recall that the waterfront play area that I so adored as a child -- and that still remained as of 2006 -- was gone by 2015. 

I was able to figure out where it had been, though!

From 2006:

From 2025:

Man, that's just depressing.

But there may be hope on the horizon...?

Renovating...?

New playgrounds...?

The sign is from 2019, though.

And so I leave with you some photos from 2025, with a faint hope for the future, and a tear for the beauty of the past...

Blue Lake Park Revisited - Fairview - 2015

 Blue Lake Park was one of the first places I ever photographed on this wacky journey, back in October, 2006. 

I visited again in 2015, but as it was a rainy day and I didn't get many good photos, I never did a post for that one. Now that I've visited the park again (2025) I decided I may as well post the 2015 photos, so you can see what the park looked like in the "in between" times...

In 2015, the purple, blue, and teal structure was still there. ^

There was a "new" play structure (that already looked pretty loved)...

There were also two new "nature" areas. One was a play area, where they had this bird nest on a tall pole (you could not reach it/play on it.)

Sorry for the blurry photo below, but it's the only one I have of this area from the time. Notice the shelter, the log crossing (better photo below), the bird's nest, some tree stumps, and some yellow seating.

This area also included a large musical percussion instrument and a sandbox...

Nearby, there was also this random sculpture...

There was also a garden area, with little trails and info. signs and some things growing...

They'd also installed a splash pad. Every so many years, Blue Lake is closed to swimmers because of algae/grossness, so a splash pad was a nice addition...

The large red, blue, and teal structure was still there...

But, sadly, between 2006 and 2015, we lost three things:

The yellow, blue, and wooden structure was gone.

And so was the waterfront play area with the rope swing.

We also lost the metal dome/bars.

It's been 10 years since these photos. Check out my next post to find out what's... changed....?

Blue Lake Park - Fairview - 10.11.06

Blue Lake Park

64 acres of bliss -- Blue Lake park has it all -- swimming, boating, walking trails, picnic areas, and several playgrounds. Currently there are four play areas. 



This one has been at the park since 1990 or 1991 and is showing signs of age. When it was first built, it was the most exciting play structure at the park. It rests near a concession stand and the former site of the long-gone carousel.



The playground above was built sometime between 1995 and 2002 and is just the latest of many structures to occupy this space. In the early 80's, there was a metal double slide and a jungle gym shaped like a train engine here. This area also included swings with lap bars (like the ones on carnival swing rides!) until at least 1995. 



The smallest play area, this section has never really had more than a few pieces of equipment. I believe its dome-shaped jungle gym has been there for many years. 

 

This lakeshore play area is my personal favorite. Several of its features have not changed since I was a child. The swings are new, but the blue and red rock-like structures and the rope swing have been around for ages. I hope they never go away. 

One of the most memorable sights at Blue Lake -- the lakeshore sea serpent -- is, unfortunately, no longer with us. I remember being about five years old, trying to climb along the serpent's tail. During a 2004 visit to the park, the serpent had a cyclone fence around it -- no more climbing allowed. By 2006, it was gone. 

Location: Off 223rd Avenue, between Sandy Blvd. and Marine Drive