Salmon, kamut and wild rice salad, spectacular waterfront views.

The best part: It was all free.

Today I took my lunch break at the grand opening of Lake Union Park. Or rather, the small chunk of Lake Union Park that is open.

Didahalqid, also known as Michael C. Evans, sits in the Blue Heron, a canoe made by members of his Snohomish tribe and one of the cultural attractions at the opening of Lake Union Park Wednesday. (Mónica Guzmán/Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Eating the pink flesh of the free salmon and kamut and wild rice salad at Lake Union Park left me with one question: Should I eat the skin? A woman next to me said no. But her friend said it's really good for you. (Mónica Guzmán/Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

Some 1.6 acres of what will be a 10.4-acre urban oasis overlooking Lake Union is ready for public use af ter a year and a half of construction.

The milestone was commemorated with free food from Starbucks and Whole Foods and general festivities on what turned out to be -- yes! -- a gorgeous day.

The rest of Lake Union Park should be completed by 2010. More construction is planned this summer.

In all, the stretch of green will cost $29.6 million, and already is raising hopes among readers that it can deliver the South Lake Union neighborhood from critics' assertions that it is becoming an over-developed, condo-craving corporate no man's land.

Plan on going to the park?

What do you think it can do for the neighborhood?