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Quiz about Mercer Island WA  The Rock
Quiz about Mercer Island WA  The Rock

Mercer Island, WA - The Rock Trivia Quiz


This quiz focuses on the landmarks, attractions, and interesting tidbits of a small island city that's just a short kayak paddle from Seattle.

A multiple-choice quiz by javiervachon. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
javiervachon
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
290,519
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
456
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Question 1 of 10
1. The large park at the north end of the Island is named after a famous botanist. What is that botanist's name? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Why was the "Lid Park" given that name? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Just south of the business district is a park that is often referred to by Island residents, particularly those with small children, as "The Train Park". What is the Train Park's formal name? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Barack Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, is a graduate of Mercer Island High School.


Question 5 of 10
5. There is a large statue of a troll adjacent to the support piers on the Mercer Island side of the I-90 floating bridge.


Question 6 of 10
6. After whom is Mercer Island named? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. You have just moved into a home in "The Lakes" neighborhood at the south end of the Island. Which elementary school is closest to your home? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Drivers going to Seattle from Mercer Island or coming to Mercer Island from Seattle enjoy what unique benefit?

(HOV = High occupancy vehicle, or carpool, lane)
Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Summer Celebration is a community-wide festival and street fair that occurs on the weekend after Independence Day each year.


Question 10 of 10
10. Where is the Catholic cemetery on Mercer Island? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The large park at the north end of the Island is named after a famous botanist. What is that botanist's name?

Answer: Luther Burbank

Luther Burbank was responsible for developing over 100 new varieties of plums and prunes, 10 varieties of apples, 35 fruiting cacti, in addition to many other new varieties of fruit, vegetables, and flowers. His peers criticized his methods as being too unscientific, but Burbank was more concerned with achieving results than following a prescribed academic methodology.
2. Why was the "Lid Park" given that name?

Answer: The park was built on top of a freeway tunnel, so it's the "lid".

In the late 1980s the state of Washington widened Interstate 90 to accommodate the increasing traffic flow from the east side of Lake Washington to Seattle and vice versa. As part of this project, the state agreed to cover part of the freeway with a "lid" and build a large green space on top of it to compensate the city for the loss of usable space. Today the Lid Park is used for many types of activities from Little League Baseball to family picnics.
3. Just south of the business district is a park that is often referred to by Island residents, particularly those with small children, as "The Train Park". What is the Train Park's formal name?

Answer: Mercerdale Park

In the late 1960s and early 1970s the Mercer Island School District was considering the development of a second high school on the property that is currently Mercerdale Park. However, district enrollment began to decline, the plans for the second high school scrapped, and the property was sold to the city for park space. Today, the Island Arts Council and other organizations present the "Music in the Park" series each summer and a host of other activities throughout the year for members of the community to enjoy.
4. Barack Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, is a graduate of Mercer Island High School.

Answer: True

Ms. Dunham's family moved from the Midwest to Seattle in 1955 and then to Mercer Island in 1956 when Ms. Dunham entered eighth grade. Ms. Dunham lived on the Island until she left for the University of Hawaii in the fall of 1960.
5. There is a large statue of a troll adjacent to the support piers on the Mercer Island side of the I-90 floating bridge.

Answer: False

There is no troll under the I-90 floating bridge, there is, however, a troll under the Aurora Ave. bridge in Seattle. It is called the Fremont Troll and was built in 1990 by four Seattle artists as a project for the Fremont Arts Council. The Fremont Troll is approximately 18 feet high and is clutching an original Volkswagen Beetle.
6. After whom is Mercer Island named?

Answer: Thomas Mercer

Not Asa Mercer as many people believe, but his older brother Thomas. Both men were well know pioneers of Washington Territory. Thomas Mercer was a wagon train captain and gave English names to several bodies of water in the Seattle area including Lake Washington and Lake Union.
7. You have just moved into a home in "The Lakes" neighborhood at the south end of the Island. Which elementary school is closest to your home?

Answer: Lakeridge Elementary

South Mercer is the former name of Islander Middle School and no longer exists. Island Park Elementary School is mid-Island and is not too close to The Lakes. Tivnan Elementary is named after long-time Mercer Island School teacher and administrator Tom Tivnan, but has not yet been built.
8. Drivers going to Seattle from Mercer Island or coming to Mercer Island from Seattle enjoy what unique benefit? (HOV = High occupancy vehicle, or carpool, lane)

Answer: HOV lane use by single occupant vehicles

As part of the agreement between Island government and the State of Washington when the I-90 corridor was widened, Mercer Island drivers are allowed use of the express lanes at any time with only one occupant in the vehicle. If the driver stays on the highway beyond Mercer Island he or she is subject to ticketing by the State Patrol; and in fact, the gore point just beyond the final Mercer Island exit is a favorite place for State Patrol vehicles to sit and wait for Express Lane violators.
9. Summer Celebration is a community-wide festival and street fair that occurs on the weekend after Independence Day each year.

Answer: True

Summer Celebration begins with a parade down the center of town on Saturday morning and concludes with a large fireworks show over Luther Burbank Park on Sunday evening. Other events typically include a street fair, vendor booths, numerous activities for kids, and a variety of musical performances by area performers.
10. Where is the Catholic cemetery on Mercer Island?

Answer: There are no cemeteries on Mercer Island

The size of the Island and the value of its real estate have persuaded city officials to prevent the development of cemeteries on the Island.
Source: Author javiervachon

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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