Kelsey Creek Farm represents a historic family farm by providing farm animal education and the unique experience of seeing farm animals in real life.
Kelsey Creek Farm has been a catalyst for generations who come together to build their own traditions. Visitors often comment that they used to come to Kelsey as children and now are bringing their own children and grandchildren.
Hours, Parking and Driving Directions
Hours
- Kelsey Creek Farm is open every day of the year, including holidays.
- The Park is open from dawn to dusk.
- Animals are out in the pastures or yards daily. Animal locations may vary.
Parking
- There is free parking on-site in the main parking lot.
- Visitors can also park on the street, except where signs are posted regarding permit-only parking.
Driving Directions
410 130th Place SE, Bellevue WA 98005
From northbound on I-405:
- Take Exit 12 (SE 8th Street).
- Turn right at the light onto SE 8th Street.
- Go through the next light; get into the middle lane and follow the road through the light at Lake Hills Connector.
- Turn left onto 130th Place SE; continue on to stop sign.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
From southbound on I-405:
- Take Exit 12 (SE 8th Street)
- Turn left at the light onto SE 8th Street.
- Go through two lights; get into the middle lane and follow the road through the light at Lake Hills Connector.
- Turn left onto 130th Place SE; continue on to the stop sign.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
Helpful Tips
Children - Children must be supervised at all times.
Farm Animals - Our animals are on special diets; please do not feed them.
Food/Water - There is no food or water for sale on the site; remember to bring your own refreshments. There are picnic tables available throughout the park. We recommend that visitors do not eat in the barnyard.
Park Rules/Codes - This web page has a complete list of park rules, codes and guidelines.
Pets - All pets are strictly prohibited from the barnyard. In the rest of the park, all dogs and other pets must be on leash at all times. Do not leave pets unattended.
Restrooms - There is one restroom and a portable restroom.
Sanitizers - Bring your own hand sanitizers.
Visiting the Barnyard Area -
- Do not climb on pens and fences. The livestock exhibits are designed to protect both you and the animals.
- Stay on visitor pathways.
- Stand to the side when you encounter livestock on paths and walkways.
- Use quiet voices and quiet bodies.
Group Visits
Please notify Kelsey Creek Farm in advance if you are bringing a group of 15 or more. Groups of 30 or more must pre-register, and a fee of $30 per 30-50 person group/per 2 hour block will be charged. Please call 425-452-7688 or email Kelseycreekfarm@bellevuewa.gov with your request for a group visit.
Inclement Weather Plan
As a general rule, if the Bellevue School District is closed due to a weather event, all Parks & Community Services classes and programs will be cancelled for the entire day. If the Bellevue School District is on a delayed schedule, call the facility for an updated status report. Select facilities may be open for drop-in activities at a modified level.
If you are unable to reach the facility, call the Parks & Community Services Department's general information number, 425-452-6885.
Inclement weather can affect park use and trail conditions. Please use caution when visiting park sites during poor weather, as trails and other park facilities may become wet and slippery. Park trails may be closed.
FAQs
Admission is free!
Is the farm open year-round?
Yes
What time does the park open?
Animals are out for viewing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on holidays when hours for animal viewing may vary.
Is there parking at the farm?
Yes, there is a parking lot and street parking for visitors.
Can I bring my pets to the farm?
Pets are allowed in the park if on leash. No pets are allowed in the barnyard area.
What animals do you have on the farm?
Kelsey Creek Farm is home to ponies, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, chickens and rabbits.
Can we feed the animals?
No, the animals are well-fed, and many are on special diets.
Can I take a bus to Kelsey Creek Farm?
The closest bus stop is about a half-mile walk from the farm.
Are there hotels nearby?
The farm is two miles from Downtown Bellevue where there are several hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.
Does the farm have food available for purchase?
No, there is no food for sale on site except during our two major special events: Sheep Shearing (April) and Farm Fair (October).
Can we bring alcoholic beverages to the farm?
Alcohol is not permitted in Bellevue Parks.
Can I bring a stroller to the farm?
Yes, you may bring your own stroller or small wagon.
Where are the animals on the farm?
Our larger animals are in pastures during the day. The locations may vary based on the needs of the animals and the impact on the site.
Does the farm host special events?
Yes, last Saturday in April is Sheep Shearing, and the first Saturday in October is Kelsey Creek's Farm Fair. During the summer there are several smaller events. Current information is available in the Parks Online Calendar.
Who owns Kelsey Creek Farm?
Kelsey Creek Farm is owned and operated by the City of Bellevue, Parks & Community Services Department.
Is there Wi-Fi at the farm?
Currently there is no Wi-Fi available.
The Farm's History
The logging of timber-covered Wilburton Hill and surrounding areas helped clear the way for farming in this region. In 1901, partners Wade Hewitt and Charles Lea purchased property in the Wilburton area. The Hewitt and Lea Logging Company mined the area’s timber from the early 1900s through the early 1920s.
In 1921 the property was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Duey. At that time the property included 190 acres, of which all but five were uncleared and stump-covered from logging activity. The Dueys cleared the stumps, built a barn for a herd of dairy cows, and began delivering milk, cream and home-churned butter, stamped with their farm's name - Twin Valley Farm. Mrs. Duey recalled frequently buying flour in 50-lb bags and baking ten-loaf batches of bread several times a week to feed the hungry stump clearers. She drove the milk truck, delivering as many as 300 quarts of milk a day to Bellevue residents. Draft horses were used for much of the farm work until 1942.
The original barn built by the Dueys burned in August of 1933 taking 90 tons of hay with it. Mr. Duey, a skilled carpenter, along with some hired hands rebuilt the barn in two weeks. Today, this barn is the smaller of the two white barns and is called the Animal Barn. Mr. Duey also built the Red Barn, originally used as a milk house.
During the depression, the Dueys sold the land to the Haller family but continued operating the dairy until it was purchased in 1942 by Mr. John Michaels. The second dairy barn was built in 1943-44 by Mr. Michaels (this is the north barn, now known as the Education Barn), and the dairy herd increased in size. After the end of WWII, he sold the farmstead to Ray and Nettie Fisher. They phased out the dairy operation and began raising Hereford beef cattle. They built the current farm house in 1954 and moved from their home on Mercer Island to live on the property.
The Fishers lived on the farm and raised Hereford cattle until 1968. Over the years, much of the surrounding area had been sold to developers who began building single family homes in the early 60s. The farmland was soon hemmed in by a growing new neighborhood. With the rapidly increasing development came higher land taxes, eventually forcing the Fishers' decision to sell the farm property. They were courted by developers who were anxious to buy the land and to build single family residences as well as apartment complexes on the site.
At that time the Fishers’ urban neighbors began a movement to petition the Bellevue City Council to purchase the property and secure it as a public park. The neighbors’ petition succeeded, and the City negotiated with the Fisher family to purchase the 80 acres, including the farmhouse, barns and outbuildings. The Fishers sold their farm property to the City at a price much reduced from what they knew that they could get from developers. They did so because they believed in preserving the beauty and legacy of the agricultural buildings and the land.
In 1969 the farmhouse became the headquarters of the Bellevue Parks & Recreation Department. The oldest barn was modified to house an assortment of farm animals for public viewing and educational programs. The other, larger barn, commonly referred to as the Education Barn, was remodeled inside and used to accommodate a variety of community programs, including children’s day camps, art classes, and farm-themed classes.
To this day, the farm features live farm animals, the two historic barns and their outbuildings as well as fenced pastures often containing grazing livestock. In 1990, another parcel of land, mostly wetlands and wildlife habitat, was purchased south of the park, bringing the total acreage of Kelsey Creek Community Park to over 150 acres. This popular farm park receives over 200,000 visitors a year. The site offers a selection of unique children’s recreational programs, such as seasonal day camps, pony care classes, farm experience classes and tours, as well as community group and youth volunteer programs. No entrance fee is required, though donations are always welcome. The farm is open 365 days a year, attracting visitors from the community, the region and beyond.