One of three docks at Luther Burbank Waterfront Park. The chain gripped by sculpted hands lines the short promenade on shore. Note the pilings, which once secured finger piers. Photos by Migael Scherer

This King County park is a fine day-stop for Lake Washington boaters, and certainly one of the best for a cruising family. The park grounds — 72 acres in all, 50 on the water — begin at Calkins Point on the northeast end of Mercer Island and extend south to a swimming beach and marshland.

Luther Burbank Park, originally a homestead, served for many years as a boys’ school. The school was totally self-contained, with orchard and farmland. The brick stack and building on shore was a coal-fired power house; the stately brick buildings upland are what remain of the school itself. King County acquired the land after the school closed in the late 1960s; it was officially established as a waterfront park in the 1984.

Moorings and Anchorage
The concrete park dock extends from the power house, branching into three main docks. Short fixed (not floating) finger piers radiate from the main branches, though many of these are now gone. Only the north side of the north dock can accommodate boats longer than 20 feet. All docks are for day moorage only, not overnight. Depths at the outer docks are good, 10 to 20 feet.

Holding ground and protection is poor here; ordinances on the books do not permit anchoring. The single dock south of the power house is a fishing pier and not for boating use.

Trails at Luther Burbank take you along the lake shore and into the park.

Getting Ashore
Use the park docks for landing and securing your skiff.

Things to Do
There’s a restroom near the docks, at the boiler building. Directly up the short, steep trail is a large playground area and several tennis courts. Trails to the north lead to the foundations of a dairy barn and a viewpoint at Calkins Point. Other trails lead south to a swimming area and marsh.

Luther Burbank Park is named for the American naturalist and plant breeder, and the grounds are abundant with a wondrous variety of trees, shrubs and flowers. Many of these plants, as well as the wildlife, are described in the park brochure’s self-guided tour. Beginning in mid-July and continuing through the remainder of summer, the park hosts free Sunday afternoon concerts in the amphitheater west of the Parks Department building. Sailing and kayaking programs take place in the summer.

Sailor, writer and teacher Migael Scherer, who divides her time between Seattle and Lopez Island, is the author of “A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands,” published by International Marine/McGraw-Hill. The guide can be purchased online through Armchair Sailor Books & Charts, Captain’s Nautical Supplies, Amazon and other retailers.

About Migael Scherer

Sailor, writer and teacher Migael Scherer, who divides her time between Seattle and Lopez Island, is the author of “A Cruising Guide to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands,” published by International Marine/McGraw-Hill. The guide can be purchased online through Armchair Sailor Books & Charts, Captain’s Nautical Supplies, Amazon and other retailers.

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