Redmond, WA

Redmond is a town of approximately 49,000 residents located between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound, just ten miles northeast of downtown Seattle. The city is best known for being the home base of technology behemoths Microsoft Corporation and Nintendo of America. This suburban city has much to offer in the way of employment, arts, and entertainment and, most of all, in natural beauty.

FAMILY FUN

With its seemingly endless number of biking trails, Redmond has earned the nickname "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest." The natural environment also lends itself to many other outdoor recreational activities. In fact, the city has more than 23 parks that cover more than 1,000 acres.

• Marymoor Park: At 64 acres, this is the largest park in the state, with a rock climbing wall, a model airplane flying field, the largest off-leash dog area in the state, an outdoor theater, and Washington State's only velodrome.
• Sammamish River Trail: Featuring miles of paved trail along the Sammamish River, this is one of the most popular running, biking, and skating trails in King County. A separate, parallel path to the River Trail is a soft surface for equestrian use.
• Watershed Preserve: The preserve offers green space and trails for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking.
• Grass Lawn Community Park: This 28-acre park has basketball hoops, a play area, picnic facilities, lighted tennis courts, soccer fields, public displays of art, baseball and softball fields, fitness trails, and a recreation building.
• Bridle Trails State Park: With soft surface trails for horseback and hiking, this state park also has a horse arena.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

After the completion of the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge across Lake Washington in 1963, Redmond began to grow rapidly as a suburb of nearby Seattle. In 1978 it was dubbed the fastest-growing city in the state of Washington. With the influx of technology companies, Redmond saw a spike in its retail sector, encouraging the city in 1997 to open a shopping mall in the downtown area, Redmond Town Center.

Microsoft Corporation moved its headquarters to Redmond in 1986, and today it is the city's top employer. Between its site in Redmond and one in the neighboring city of Issaquah, Microsoft employs more than 30,000 people, housed in more than 8 million square feet of office space. Other major headquarters in the area include:

• Nintendo of America
• Concur, a provider of technology used to manage employee spending
• Data I/O Corporation
• BrickArms, a toy manufacturer
• Eddie Bauer, a seller of outdoor products and apparel

EVENTS

Redmond Derby Days: In existence for more than three decades, Redmond Derby Days is the Northwest's oldest bicycle race. Festivities surrounding the summer event include live music, activities, a parade, vendors, a beer and wine garden, and a three-on-three basketball tournament.

The Concerts at Marymoor: This summertime concert series is held in the outdoor theater in Marymoor Park.

The Old Redmond Firehouse: The Old Firehouse provides a place for teens age 13 to 19 to skate, hang out, take art classes, play pool, go on fieldtrips, and much more. The Firehouse has also become a premier spot for the independent music scene in Redmond, offering the teens a chance to see live music.

Redmond Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit: Twelve pieces of outdoor sculpture are located in and around Redmond's downtown. For more than a decade, local artists have added to the exhibition. The display is sponsored by The Redmond Arts Commission.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Redmond is a residential community that appeals to young families. The public schools are high performing and have a 93 percent graduation rate compared to 71 percent in Washington state as a whole.

• Downtown Redmond offers a historic district as well as a more modern area. The historic district is home to many family-owned businesses, while the newer part of downtown was primarily built in 1995 or after. The regional shopping center, Redmond Town Center, is located in downtown Redmond. Many renters live in this area in high-rise apartments and complexes. The majority of the residents in this part of town are young singles.
• The Cottage Lake area is a quiet neighborhood that is home to many families with children. Most residents are highly educated and work in executive and managerial positions. The homes in Cottage Grove are among the most expensive in Redmond.
• Avondale is a more urban part of Redmond that is home to many families with children. A mix of owners and renters live in this walkable, upper-middle income neighborhood.
• The area of White/Hollywood is a wealthy neighborhood in Redmond. The quiet suburban area is filled with many families with children.