And if they want to go a little farther afield, they can hike for miles on the level beaches of the Pacific Coast, said Bill Laxton, a fellow Volkssport walker. One of the most popular places to walk in the region is likely the well-traveled sidewalk around Capitol Lake. On any given day, scores of people stroll, jog, walk their dogs and push baby strollers around this two-basin lake on the edge of downtown. Some even go via in-line skates. They are also in charge of Marathon Park and the nature interpretive center at the southwest corner of the lake.
Walkers can choose several routes around the lake's two basins.
The distance around the northern basin is a mile, and it's another mile from Marathon Park, at the southwest corner of the upper pond, to the lake interpretive center, where signs tell about the natural history of the area, and on to Tumwater's Heritage Park. From Capitol Lake Park west to Marathon Park and south to the interpretive area and Heritage Park, then back to Marathon and east along the trail, is about three miles. It's not out of the question for walkers to see otters, ospreys, eagles, sea gulls, deer and, of course, geese. Seals even come up under the gates of the dam where the lake enters the sound and cruise the waters. Many walkers say spring is the best time to amble around the lake because the colorful Kwanzan cherry trees are in bloom.