Site Access

Note: Access to the GRNRA will be limited until summer 2022 due to construction on the Lower Russell Levee Setback project. Please follow posted detour routes.

The location is Russell Road (S. 212th St. to Puget Power Trail), Kent, WA 

You can access the GRNRA year-round from Russell Road or the Puget Power Trail. 

The site has three viewing towers and 1.4 miles of gravel trails. These features are open to visitors via two gates on Russell Road and one gate along the Puget Power Trail. Gates are open at the following times:

Access to all other areas of the site must be arranged through the site manager.

Flood Protection

The GRNRA is critical to reducing flooding in Kent. Before the GRNRA was built, Mill Creek in central Kent used to inundate low-lying streets, parking lots, and warehouses nearly every year. Now, the GRNRA reduces flows in lower Mill Creek by over 50% and provides 312 acre-feet of floodwater storage (the equivalent of filling Lumen Field over 200 feet deep). Since completing the GRNRA, flooding in Kent’s industrial areas has decreased significantly.

Improved Water Quality

The GRNRA provides cleaner water for fish and wildlife. Surface water from the surrounding industrialized area flows into the GRNRA where it is filtered naturally:

1. Runoff passes through an extensive treatment system, including two pre-settling ponds and a 20-acre constructed wetland, which reduces sediment and pollutants.
2. Water enters the main lagoon for additional filtration.
3. Water drains back into Mill Creek.

The GRNRA substantially improves the water quality in the lower reaches of Mill Creek.

Enhanced Fish and Wildlife Habitat

The GRNRA provides habitat to an estimated 165 bird and 53 mammal species. The site serves as a nesting, feeding, and brooding area for many species that use the Green River corridor. To enhance habitat, local bird experts, scientists, consultants, and City of Kent staff focused site design on the habitat requirements of 12 bird species:

• Canvasback
• Northern shoveler
• Virginia rail
• Marsh wren
• Western sandpiper
• California quail
• American goldfinch
• Northern harrier
• Downey woodpecker
• Violet-green swallow
• American kestrel
• White-crowned sparrow

Since each targeted species uses a different habitat type, managing for the 12 targeted species ensures that a variety of wildlife benefit. Habitat construction involved creating a large emergent marsh and open water wetland, increasing the amount of forested wetland and scrub-shrub wetland (for low-growing shrubs and trees), and improving upland habitats. The stormwater detention pond was also designed to provide critical habitat for coho fingerlings so that they can overwinter there and avoid being swept out during high flow events.

Great wildlife viewing can be found at the GRNRA anytime along the Puget Power Trail in the south and from the eastern berm, accessible from 64th Ave S.

Public Education and Recreation

The GRNRA offers extensive recreational and educational opportunities:

• Birding – There are excellent birding spots at the GRNRA, such as the Puget Power Trail along the southern edge and the three viewing towers. Visit Cornell’s eBird for recent sightings and historical bird surveys.
• Trails – There are 1.3 miles of wheelchair-accessible gravel travels within the GRNRA. You can also connect to the site via the 1-mile long Puget Power Trail along the southern edge or the popular Green River Trail along the site’s western edge.
• Wetlands – The GRNRA has acres of wetlands where students can conduct research on a variety of subjects, such as water quality, hydrology, and native plant establishment.
• Volunteering – The GRNRA has hosted thousands of volunteers and offers many volunteer opportunities such as planting, removing invasive plants, bid surveying, and building bird boxes. Contact Kent Public Works’ Environmental Supervisor if you would like to do a volunteer project at the site.
• Star Gazing – Attend a star party hosted by the Seattle Astronomical Society and enjoy great views of the sky at night. Local astronomers provide telescopes and opportunities to learn about astronomical topics.

Fun Facts

• The GRNRA was awarded the American Public Works Association Public Works Project of the Year in 1998 for projects between $2 and $10 million.
• The GRNRA houses the city’s native plant nursery, which grows 10,000-20,000 plants each year for environmental restoration projects throughout Kent.
• Enough soil to completely fill Lumen Field (over 600,000 cubic yards) was removed to create the eastern treatment ponds.
• Volunteers, community groups, and City of Kent staff have installed over 300,000 native plants at the GRNRA.
• Six Eagle Scouts and several college students have completed their capstone projects at the GRNRA.