There’s something truly special about living among streets lined with mature maples, where the whispers of the past linger in the breeze and the echoes of heritage deepen every sense of home. For longtime residents and newcomers alike, the Twin Maples neighborhood in Woodway, WA, stands as a living testament to a community shaped by natural beauty, thoughtful planning, and a deep respect for its own story.
Origins of Twin Maples
The beginnings of Twin Maples can be traced back to the early 1920s, a period when much of the Pacific Northwest was undergoing transformation. Woodway itself was envisioned as a wooded enclave, a retreat for families seeking tranquility within reach of Edmonds and Seattle.
Twin Maples owes its name to two majestic maple trees that stood—centuries old—on what is now the crossroads of North Dogwood Lane and Twin Maples Drive. Early developers and city founders saw these trees as both a symbol and a promise; their leafy canopies became landmarks around which the neighborhood began to take shape.
A Neighborhood Grows
The initial layouts of Twin Maples were drawn with great care, preserving as much of the original woodland as possible. Early deeds included covenants to prevent overdevelopment, and meandering streets followed the natural contours of the land rather than imposing artificial grids.
- The intersection of Twin Maples Drive and Alder Circle became an early gathering spot for neighbors and has remained a social heart of the community, hosting block parties and annual tree-lighting events.
- Maple Crest Park, a small green oasis tucked just off Firhedge Road, was donated in 1947 by the Henson family, whose farmhouse remains a historical landmark at the eastern entrance to the neighborhood.
Key Historical Milestones
Twin Maples has moved gracefully through the decades, marking milestones that reflect both broader changes in the region and the enduring values of its community.
- In the 1950s, Twin Maples welcomed its first community center on Mossy Glen Avenue. What started as a simple log cabin—with walls assembled by volunteer hands—is today’s lively Twin Maples Hall.
- The 1976 Bicentennial Celebration saw the planting of a second generation of maple saplings along Sycamore Way, commemorating the national milestone and cementing the neighborhood’s leafy identity.
- During the late 1980s, Twin Maples adopted environmentally sensitive landscaping regulations, preserving native plantings and further reinforcing the neighborhood’s reputation for natural beauty.
Landmarks and Notable Buildings
Walking through Twin Maples is a bit like strolling through a living history book, with several key sites anchoring the community’s identity:
- The Old Henson Farmhouse at Firhedge Road is one of Woodway’s oldest continuously occupied residences, retaining its original clapboard siding and broad front porch.
- Twin Maples Hall—rebuilt in the 1990s after a fire—remains a beloved venue for everything from bridge clubs to summer potlucks.
- The Original Maples, though sadly lost to a storm in the 1970s, are remembered with a bronze plaque and their stumps, now artistically carved, still visible just north of Twin Maples Drive.
Institutions and Community Spirit
Institutional life in Twin Maples revolves around enduring traditions and strong neighborhood bonds. The Twin Maples Neighborhood Association, founded in 1962, has steered countless volunteer projects: from organizing charity runs throughout the winding lanes, to supporting upgrades at Maple Crest Park’s playground.
Children in Twin Maples typically attend Edmonds Elementary on Spruce Path, and the annual parade of bikes and wagons, decorated for June’s Maple Festival, is a cherished rite of passage for many local families.
Evolution Across the Decades
While Twin Maples has grown and modernized, its character remains rooted in careful stewardship. Many newer homes along Hemlock Lane and Cedar Crest Court blend seamlessly with older cottages, thanks to design guidelines that encourage harmony with the wooded environment.
Recent years have seen community gardens flourish, and more families are rediscovering the joys of walking trails that wind through preserved green corridors.
Despite regional growth pressures, residents have consistently voted to maintain low traffic speed limits and to resist large-scale development. This steadfastness has ensured that the chorus of evening birdsong, the beauty of autumn leaves, and the quiet friendliness of neighbors remain unspoiled.
Why Twin Maples Endures
Ask anyone who’s lived in Twin Maples: it’s not just the grand old trees or the handsome architecture that lends this neighborhood its magic. It’s the way heritage is honored in everyday life—the annual clearing of invasive ivy, the communal effort to decorate the hall, the reverence for those who came before.
Neighbors celebrate not only what has been preserved but also what continues to grow. As one longtime resident once remarked, “Twin Maples is a place where roots and branches matter—where what we inherit and what we plant are both cherished.”
From sunrise walks beneath arching maples to starlit gatherings in Maple Crest Park, Twin Maples continues to embody the timeless blend of nature and community that defines Woodway itself. Here, the past is not distant—it’s alive in every stone, every story, and every fresh leaf that bursts forth each spring.