Category: 215 Miles of Backcountry Trails
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Two Taylor Mountain trail bridges checked off the ‘To Do’ list
Last week, King County Parks wrapped up construction on the project to install two new trail bridges at Taylor Mountain Forest. Part of our effort to improve trail sustainability and protect the forest and salmon habitat, this work replaced old, undersized culverts along gravel maintenance roads that make up part of the park’s trail system.…
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It’s here!!! Lookout Tower at Pinnacle Peak Park
What’s 30 feet in the air and gives you an extra workout at the top of Mount Peak? Why, that’d be a replica fire lookout tower in Pinnacle Peak Park in Enumclaw! Community Meeting – June 9, 2022 To improve the view from the new tower to Mt. Rainier and other locations we are working…
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How are we doing?
King County Parks is updating our King County Open Space Plan: Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas, which provides the policy framework for King County’s acquisition, development, stewardship, management, and funding of our 32,000-acre open space system. It’s a functional plan of the King County Comprehensive Plan and must be updated every six years. As part…
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Construction update: Taylor Mountain Trails
Pardon our dust, we’re building 2 new bridges! If you’ve been to Taylor recently, you might’ve noticed some things happening in the parking lot and along Road A and some other trails. That’s because construction is underway to install two new bridges that will replace old, undersized culverts on the gravel road system. Once this…
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King County Parks in 2020: It’s been… a year.
Way back in December 2019, we at King County Parks were already anticipating a busy and productive year. And then… Winter flooding and storms, followed by COVID-19 closures and cancellations; shifts to virtual programming and remote work for many employees; and finally, remarkably high visitation and use – these all combined to make 2020 one…
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King County Parks: Coronavirus Update
This post is no longer updated. Please visit our new COVID page for the latest information on the status of King County Parks. We will use the Plog, Facebook and Twitter, and e-newsletters to keep you up-to-date about any changes in Parks’ operations. UPDATE 04/28/2020, 1 p.m. In light of Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement of…
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Walkin’ & Rollin’ on Vashon
Once upon a time about a month ago, a quiet little ceremony celebrated the official opening of a new half-mile loop trail on the north end of Vashon Island. This trail warrants a special shout-out due to the fact it is King County Parks’ only backcountry trail specifically designed for people who use wheelchairs and…
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Make a walk in the park a family tradition
Here’s ten of our favorite King County walks to fend off a turkey coma. Grab friends and family and start a new tradition!
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How much do our kids play? Not as much as you think. And here’s what we’re doing about it.
On Tuesday, September 10, we were excited to release the analysis and recommendations from a two-year effort conducted by the University of Washington’s Center for Leadership in Athletics and The Aspen Institute, in coordination with King County Parks and many other partners. The study, called the State of Play: Seattle-King County, found that less than…
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The Forest Next Door
Mike and Donna Brathovde are uniquely situated to experience King County Parks’ forest stewardship activities. Since 1976, they’ve lived next to what is now known as Ravensdale Retreat Natural Area, a 145-acre forested park near Maple Valley and Black Diamond in south King County. But we’ll get to Mike and Donna in a moment. Ravensdale…
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GirlTrek Seattle – Looking Forward!
GirlTrek is a national health movment that activates thousands of Black women to be change makers. Find out how they’re making change happen!
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@ Work: Windfall
The week’s storm has kept our crews on windfall patrol. This time of year always brings the pain. In the form of fallen trees in inconvenient areas. After major and minor windstorms, or heavy rain, our staff are quite busy removing the obstructions. In the mosaic below are photos posted to issues in SeeClickFix by…
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Winter Weather Safety
With winter weather kicking up in the Puget Sound region, King County Parks urges all trail visitors to practice safety when venturing out on any of our trails, both our paved regional trails and backcountry trails. Windy days can bring falling tree branches and other debris that can block a trail. When walking or hiking,…
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Busy Week for our Backcountry Trails Crew
Last week, our Backcountry Trails Crew (BCTC) did WORK. Here’s a little recap of some of the projects they completed to provide sustainable trails that are accessible year-round in King County. A small but mighty team, the multifaceted BCTC services all corners of King County. Here’s what they did in just one week so I’m…
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Protected: Park. Ride. Hike. Trailhead Direct to your next hike!
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
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Grand Ridge: Water Tower Loop
Today we officially opened the Water Tower Loop on Grand Ridge. Brought to you by your friendly neighborhood REI, Washington Trails Association, and of course, your King County Parks. WTA has been with Grand Ridge for over a decade! They’ve helped us shape and maintain it, and thanks to generous donations from REI, they added mileage to…
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Where does one go to get yelled at by frogs? Why, Frog Holler Forest, of course!
Frog Holler Forest is our newest park, a 60-acre forest on the southern part of Vashon Island. Frog Holler is actually the name of the neighborhood where the park is located, named as such for the chorus of tree frogs in the area. Acquired in December 2016 with the help of the Vashon Maury Island…
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GiveBIG to the KC Parks Foundation!
GiveBIG is May 10th and you can support the King County Parks Foundation by donating here! And you don’t even need to wait until the BIG day – schedule your donation today, so you can be outside on May 10th instead – enjoying our 200 parks, 175 miles of trails and 28,000 acres of open…
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Ways to enjoy 215-miles of backcountry trails
We all find entertainment in different things. This is for those who would prefer to be on a mountain, by a river, in natural areas and open spaces, or just somewhere out in the sticks. I find an immense amount of enjoyment in the natural areas and open spaces within King County and fortunately for us there are…
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Dockton Forest Mountain Bike Park – Now Open
Great turnout. Great partners. Great community. Thank you Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, and Vashon Mountain Bike Association. To learn more about the partnership(s) that helped make this happen, see our press release. Follow this link if you’d like to see more photos.
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2017 Green Globe awards: Honoring Our Partners
This morning, King County hosted the Green Globes, an awards ceremony honoring local businesses, cities, community groups and individuals for the work they’re doing to protect and improve our environment. We were delighted that several Parks partners were recognized for their dedication to our parks and open space. Recognized as Leader in Community Stewardship, the…
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Moss Lake and the Sphagnum Bog
Moss Lake is a wonderful little spot located in the foothills of the cascades. This sphagnum bog (click for a definition of “sphagnum bog” ) offers an amazing variety of plants and wildlife all within 370 acres. I highly recommend making the drive out to this little hidden gem to explore. The variety of ways…
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Steady, as she goes…
As detailed in this new report, we here at King County Parks are feeling like The Raconteurs: “Steady, as she goes…” We’re halfway through the 2014-2019 King County Parks, Trails, and Open Space Replacement Levy and happy to say we’re on track to meet our commitment to making “Your Big Backyard” that much more awesome.…
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Nature makes you happier, more creative
Stop thinking so much and go for a walk. A recent study shows that a 90-minute stroll makes your mind melon leak out less of the sads.
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Random Photo Post: Shy Bear Trail, Cougar Mountain
Every year for the holidays, anonymous elves decorate a tree in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildlife Park. Thank you, elves, for making our holidays a little brighter (and for leaving no trace when it’s over)!
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Random Photo Post: Taylor Mountain This Morning
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@ Work So You Can Play: Grand Ridge
Prep work underway for a new rock turnpike on the Water Tower Loop Trail at Grand Ridge. Staff are prepping the area for work parties with our peeps the Washington Trails Association (WTA). Want to join in the fun? You can bring your pumpkin spice latte.
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Taking care of our forests: Black Diamond, Ravensdale Retreat and Henry’s Ridge
King County Parks estimates that about 25,000 of our 28,000 acres of open space are covered by forests. In some places, our forests are vast canopies of big ol’ evergreens, loads of ferns, and happy critters all around. Many times, however, our forests have had a checkered past. They became “ours” because the land had…
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#OptOutside in 28,000 Acres
Today is as good as any other to be outside. Yesterday should have given you plenty of motivation, as well as pie, and more than likely, regrets. Come on out and run, walk, hike or play out in Your Big Backyard. We don’t have to have awkward political conversations out here. #OptOutside
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Friday – Avoid the #mallbrawl, #OptOutside with us
Our friends over at REI condensed our mantra into a hashtag. Words to live by. Also the hashtag that can spare you mall jail. You know. Yer all enjoying your pumpkin spice latte, with your 60 inch 4K TV on your shoulder, when some joker brushes past you and he’s got the gall to grab the last 3D-printing-self-replicating-housekeeping-drone…