Hillcrest Park | Mount Vernon

Hillcrest Park in Mount Vernon, Washington, is a 30.75-acre public park that serves as a vibrant centerpiece of community life. It blends natural beauty with recreational versatility, offering a rich mix of wooded trails, sports facilities, play areas, and rental venues. The park’s thoughtful design and amenities make it suitable for quiet individual reflection, family outings, and large-scale gatherings alike.

🌳 Landscape and Natural Setting

Hillcrest Park is distinguished by its mature evergreen trees, grassy lawns, and rolling hills. The environment feels both expansive and intimate, thanks to the forested zones that give way to open fields and structured recreational areas. The park’s elevation provides gentle slopes, contributing to scenic views and a sense of spatial layering that gives visitors a sense of privacy even when the park is busy.

Nature Trails: A paved walking trail, roughly 0.8 miles in length, loops through shaded areas, inviting walkers, joggers, and leashed dogs. This trail weaves past picnic shelters, the lodge, sports courts, and playgrounds.

Woodland Zones: These areas offer a more secluded setting, ideal for birdwatching or picnicking under the canopy.

Gardens and Lawns: Manicured grassy areas and native plant gardens are interspersed throughout, adding color and supporting local biodiversity.

🏀 Recreational Amenities

Hillcrest Park provides a variety of well-maintained sports facilities designed to accommodate both casual play and organized competition.

Tennis and Pickleball Courts: Four lighted tennis courts also double as pickleball courts. The courts are surfaced with durable material and equipped with permanent nets. Coin-operated lighting allows for evening use.

Basketball Courts: Two full-sized, outdoor basketball courts are popular with local teens and adults.

Softball and Soccer Fields: Open grass fields with permanent backstops and goals serve both pickup games and league events. These fields are available for reservation.

Playgrounds:

Tot Lot: Designed for toddlers with safe climbing structures, swings, and slides.

Adventure Playground: For older children, featuring climbing towers, bridges, and interactive play panels.

🍽️ Picnic and Event Spaces

One of Hillcrest Park’s strongest features is its capacity to host private events and public celebrations.

Picnic Shelters:

Woodland Shelter: Nestled among the trees, this medium-sized shelter includes tables and nearby restrooms.

Gazebo Shelter: Located closer to the main entrance, this structure is highly visible and often used for birthday parties and community events.

Rental Details: Shelters can be reserved in advance. Resident rental rates are typically $50–$75 per day; non-resident rates are slightly higher.

Hillcrest Lodge:

A rustic log building that acts as a community event center. It includes a large stone fireplace, open-beam ceiling, hardwood floors, and large windows with forest views.

Capacity: Seats up to 150 people.

Amenities: Commercial kitchen, sound system, Wi-Fi, tables, chairs, and ADA accessibility.

Rental Rates: $45–$65/hour depending on day of week and resident status. Additional fees may apply for setup, security deposits, and kitchen use.

🚻 Accessibility and Visitor Facilities

Restrooms: Multiple fully accessible restrooms are located throughout the park, including near shelters and fields.

Parking: Ample parking is available with dedicated lots near the lodge and fields. Paths from parking lots to major amenities are paved and ADA-compliant.

Lighting: Several areas are equipped with lighting for safe evening use, particularly sports courts and walking paths.

🎉 Community Events and Uses

Hillcrest Park plays an important role in Mount Vernon’s cultural and civic life:

Kiwanis Salmon BBQ: Held during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival each spring, this event draws hundreds of visitors to the park for grilled salmon meals and fundraising for youth programs.

Weddings and Receptions: The park’s natural beauty and rentable lodge make it a desirable location for outdoor weddings and receptions.

Local Recreation Leagues: Fields are used by youth soccer teams, adult softball leagues, and informal community games.

Everyday Use: Residents frequent the park daily for jogging, dog walking, family play, picnics, and casual sports.

🕗 Park Hours and Guidelines

Open Daily: From 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Hours may extend during summer or for reserved evening events.

Alcohol-Free: Alcohol is prohibited in public spaces and park rentals unless a special permit is granted.

Reservation Info: Facilities are bookable through Mount Vernon Parks and Enrichment Services at (360) 336‑6215.

✨ Summary

Hillcrest Park is a thoughtfully designed, multi-use green space that successfully blends recreation, nature, and community life. With its mature trees, modern sports facilities, charming rental lodge, and accessible paths, it welcomes a wide range of visitors-from active families and sports groups to those seeking quiet, natural beauty. The park's consistent upkeep and deep integration into Mount Vernon’s annual events and traditions make it a lasting cornerstone of local life.