Maple Leaf

Maple Leaf feels like a hidden gem. This conveniently situated Northeast Seattle neighborhood offer all the perks of a cozy residential oasis, coupled with the convenience of big city amenities within easy striking distance

The epicenter of the community is the water tower. With its iconic maple leaf ornament, this stately beacon presides over the Maple Leaf Reservoir, and marks one of the highest points of the city. Following the passage of a Parks and Green Spaces Levy, work is currently underway to cover the reservoir, adding an additional 15 acres to the existing Maple Leaf Playground and Playfields. Interestingly, a wild flock of escaped conures—a breed of large South American parakeets—calls the park home, and migrates between Maple Leaf and Seward Park.

The peaceful residential feel of Maple Leaf makes it an ideal location for families, and its array of unique educational opportunities further sweetens the deal. Olympic View Elementary boasts mountain vistas on clear days, and offers children a wide range of extracurricular activities including instrumental music, drama, and math club. Private options include the K-5 Perkins school with its unique Pea Patch gardening club, and Fairview School, one of the largest private Christian primary schools in the city. The K-12 Seattle Waldorf School also sits on the northeast corner of the neighborhood, and hosts the seasonal Meadowbrook Farmers Market on Sunday afternoons.

Maple Leaf is also the site of two unique arts education beacons for Seattle youth. Early Masters offers art history classes to students age 7-12, and provides hands-on creative weekend workshops. Additionally, Maple Leaf is home to the Northwest Puppet Center. Owned and operated by the Carter Family, the center puts on over 250 performances a year of traditional Sicilian marionette Opera dei Pupi shows.

This neighborhood interest in the arts is further apparent as one strolls along the central north-south running Roosevelt Avenue. Here, not one, but two treasured carriers of Northwest art—the Snow Goose Gallery and Between Cultures: Tribal folk and Ethnographic Gallery, face one another on opposite sides of the street.

Roosevelt Avenue is the central artery of the neighborhood and is the site of many of the most beloved local shops and eateries. The Cloud City Coffee House is a favorite hangout for many locals, and hosts the Saturday NorthEnd Knitters meeting group. Just up the street is Judy Fu’s Snappy Dragon — voted Best Chinese Restaurant in the Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington.

With all its cozy charm, Maple Leaf still offers easy access to many handy resources. At the north end of the neighborhood, for example, are the Northgate Mall, and Kindred Hospital. A mile southeast is the beautiful Green Lake and the I-5 highway, providing immediate access to downtown Seattle, is just five blocks away.

For a small town feel, nestled in a big town city, look to Maple Leaf!