In 1963, the state and federal government condemned a large portion of the eastern side of the neighborhood for the construction of I-5. This was followed in 1968 by further condemnation for the building of North Seattle Community College.

Many of these areas contained wetlands now lost to building sites. In 1975, the Forward Thrust Bond Issue allotted money to develop the Licton Springs Park.It has since evolved into a unique combination of passive use natural areas contrasted by wide lawns conducive to picnicking, strolling and sporting activities.

Mineral Springs Park, along the southern edge of Northgate Way between N 105th and N 107th, occupies land formerly occupied by homes and small farms. Many of the remaining landscaping features suggest the park's history, such as stone walls, steps, small ponds, and exotic plants. The park includes many spectacular trees, including redwood, aspen, and dogwood. There is a birch grove and a wildflower meadow. Recent landscaping improvements emphasize low-maintenance and native plans. A new "spring" was created to honor the neighborhood's history of springs.

Mineral Springs Park is home to one of Seattle's two disc golf courses. (The other is at Lakewood Park, SW 108th St. & 10th Ave. SW, in the King County Parks and Recreation system.)

As a complement to that active game area and to the landscape, there is also an "art walk" strolling path, one the improvements funded by the Pro Parks Levy in 2003-2004. Artists Lynn Sullivan and Stacy Levy have created "Cloud Stones" especially for this park, a series of meditative stone sculptures intended to reflect the movement of clouds overhead. An information kiosk provides more details on the artworks as well as a map of the park.