Redmond

Redmond
Redmond has everything thats great about the Great Northwest. Serene, meandering bike paths, outdoor concerts, family events and fabulous shopping will not let you forget this place easily. Dining for every taste and first-class lodging all make Redmond a great place to visit. For both locals and outsiders, there are always a great number of events to entertain them in the area along with their neighboring communities.

Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, USA and is situated in the Eastside. As of population, the 2003 Census Bureau estimated that the population if the city was 46,391. The city rose to prominence when it became home of Microsoft and Nintendo of America.

Redmond is also known as the bicycle capital of the Northwest for the states only velodrome and hosts an annual bike race on city streets. The city has a significant downtown with many privately owned businesses making it the modern downtown Redmond. Redmond earns country wide fame for its woods and has many picturesque parks.

Education
A strong & comprehensive network of education system is incepted in Redmond. The city is part of the Lake Washington School District which also includes Kirkland and parts of Sammamish and Woodinville. Redmonds education system is diversified distinctly into primary, elementary and high schools.

The public schools in the city encompass nine elementary schools, three junior high schools, and Redmond High School. Private sector is also adding to the education system and is currently running several schools including the Overlake School, the Bear Creek School, and the Conservatory High School.

Redmond is also home to the DigiPen Institute of Technology and the secondary campus of Lake Washington Technical College and Redmond Regional Library. The Redmond regional Library is the second-largest library in the King County Library System.

Economy
Redmond is alive with opportunities in the growing business of IT. The city has turned into a great place with a number of companies in the high-tech industry. The biggest company operating in the city is Microsoft Corporation spreading over an area of 8 million square feet or 750,000 square meters in the Seattle area Eastside region.

In January 2006, Microsoft purchased the Safecos Redmond campus and announced in the next month to expand its Redmond campus by another 1.1 million square feet. This expansion created space for between 7,000 and 15,000 new employees over the next three years.

This gained many new residents as a direct result. However, with this development it became known that while the general technology industry slows, Redmonds economy continues to grow rapidly.

Other companies like Captures, Nintendo of America, Concur, Data I/O Corporation, Genie Industries, and Eddie Bauer have established their headquarters in the region. Also worth-mentioning is the fact that unlike neighboring cities, the City of Redmond does not have a Business & Occupation tax on income.

Parks & Recreation
Parks, Recreation and Community Services offer all cultural, athletic, entertainment, and quality of life services for the people of Redmond. The city has 23 developed public parks occupying over a thousand acres. But, the largest park within Redmond - Marymoor Park - is not owned by the city.

This 560 acre park is one of the most popular in King County featuring a climbing rock, a model airplane flying field, a large off-leash dog park, an outdoor theater, and a lot more. Also stroll along many other neighborhood parks and you will get whisked away with picnic tables and sports fields or courts. Moreover, the city offers 17 miles of nicely maintained trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.

Culture
Among regional top attractions enticing visitors with their charm and significance are the Redmonds festivals and events. The Redmond Derby Days is a community festival held each year. It primarily began as a race around Lake Sammamish called the Redmond Bicycle Derby in 1939, but later became a multi-day event. The event now features a bicycle criterium, parade, carnival, and entertainment stages.

Redmond has a diverse rich cultural history, presently offering a year-round schedule of musical, theatrical, artistic and dance performances. Organizations working actively for promoting arts in the region include the Eastside Symphony, the Second Story Repertory theater company, and the Washington Academy of Performing Arts.

The Old Redmond Firehouse has become a hub in the thriving Eastside independent music scene and is a center for local teens particularly. Marymoor also hosts a series of concert in summers featuring a diverse and bright array of artists such as Norah Jones, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Rob Thomas. Come and experience the vibrant life of Redmond for yourself!