Monday, July 14, 2008

FEDERAL WAY CITY


Federal Way is a city in King County, Washington, United States. Federal Way is considered a commuter town by some people and is located between Seattle and Tacoma. Its western boundary is Puget Sound. It is bordered by Des Moines on the north, Kent, Auburn, unincorporated King County, and Milton on the east and Tacoma and Fife on the south. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 83,259. The population estimates for 2005 are 85,800 making it Washington’s 7th largest city.
Originally a logging settlement, the area was first called "Federal Way" in 1929, when Federal Way School District #210 was created. The name derived from U.S. Route 99 (now State Route 99 or Pacific Highway South), completed that decade, which ran through the area on its way from Everett and Seattle to Tacoma. Federal Way High School was built, and about 20 years later, the name was adopted by the local Chamber of Commerce. The city was incorporated on February 28, 1990.
Federal Way is home to Weyerhaeuser, the largest private owner of softwood timberland in the world. Weyerhaeuser has opened much of its land to the public, including two botanical gardens: the Rhododendron Species Foundation and Botanical Garden, and the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection. Federal Way is also home to the US office headquarters of World Vision.
Other attractions in the city include the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, which features an Olympic size swimming pool and had been used for the Goodwill Games in 1990, and Celebration Park, with sports fields and wooded trails. The city has also developed many lake front and neighborhood parks and playgrounds.
Wild Waves Theme Park, the largest amusement park in the region, is known as Wild Waves and Enchanted Village. It is located on the south side of the city and is the Seattle area's only permanent amusement park. Six Flags purchased Wild Waves in December 2000. However after low sales, Six Flags sold the park in April of 2007 to Parc Management LLC of Jacksonville, Fl for $31.75 million.
Federal Way is locally identified by its 1990s semi-urban development, characterized by landscaped off-street multi-structure apartment complexes and shopping centers. The Commons at Federal Way (previously Sea Tac Mall), the city's largest and only indoor shopping center, is located on S 320th St. and Pacific Hwy South (State Route 99) near the city's main Interstate 5 exit.
Major city and state parks:
Steel Lake Park - located on S 312th St just east of Pacific Hwy S; large lakefront area with picnic areas, playground, and boat launch.
Celebration Park - on 11th Ave S just south of S 324th St; with sports fields and wooded trails, and Independence Day fireworks.
Dumas Bay Centre - Has a beautiful 12 acre park on site with a conference and retreat facility. This park sits on the Puget Sound and looks toward the Olympic Mountain chain.
Dash Point State Park - on SW Dast Point Rd at the west end of town; the city's only developed waterfront park, with hiking trails and campground. Five Mile Lake - on Military Rd S and S 364th St in the unincorporated area on the east side of town.
West Hylebos Wetlands Park - at S 348th St and 4th Ave S, hiking trails through wetlands.The BPA Trail extending from the entrance to Celebration Park west to approximately 18th Ave SW, then south to the Pierce County border. The trail is paved and lies under the Bonneville Power Administration transmission line.

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