Category: 28,000 Acres of Open Space
-
A New Bridge for Black Diamond Open Space
October has flown by, and so has a big project at Black Diamond Open Space (BDOS)! King County Parks replaced a bridge that crosses Ravensdale Creek in the western portion of BDOS, a park that is located two miles north of Black Diamond and six miles south of Maple Valley. The design of…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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This post is no longer updated.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…
-
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…
-
Notes from the field: Day of Caring Wrap-up
Today’s guest plogger is Charlie Wakenshaw from our Volunteer Program Last Friday, Sept 13, was United Way Day of Caring, a day we look forward to all year because it brings members of our community together to lend support for the public lands we all share. In partnership with the United Way of King County,…
-
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…
-
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…
-
705,840!
King County Parks enjoyed some quality time with County Executive Dow Constantine in Big Finn Hill Park today to celebrate progress toward the county’s admittedly audacious goal to plant One Million Trees by 2020. Together with 80 partnering organizations, we’ve planted 705,840 trees in King County. We are SO close! The Executive wholeheartedly encouraged anyone who…
-
Field Notes: Snow snow go away
Check out what our seasoned Parks’ crew is up to as crazy winter weather continues!
-
Your Big Backyard is Getting Bigger
King County Parks had a busy year making good on the levy promise to bring 2,700 acres into the King County system by 2020. By the time 2019 rolls around, Parks will be on the lookout for a mere 500 more acres to reach the goal. As an added bonus, scooping up lands happens to…
-
Have issues?
Safety issue or equipment in need of repair in any of our parks or trails? Use SeeClickFix our issue reporting tool. It can be accessed from your phone or desktop. You can report issues anonymously, or if you would like to be updated on the progress of your report, create a quick account. Once you have…
-
Protected: Park. Ride. Hike. Trailhead Direct to your next hike!
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
-
Primitive Camping With A Waterfront View on Maury Island
King County Parks has partnered with Vashon Adventures to bring camping to Vashon-Maury Island. “Hike, bike or paddle in to your picturesque campsite at King County’s Maury Island Marine Park. Spend a night or more under the stars, listening to the waves lap on the beach and waking to Mount Rainier rising above the water.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
See Something, Say Something. Issues, That Is
As your King County Parks staff, our job is to keep your parks clean, safe and open. It is part of our daily routine. That said, stuff happens. Daily, if not hourly, staff can be rerouted to deal with any number of issues. We, of course, handle anything we come across during our rounds, but…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
Big Bend, Little Stroll
Big Bend Natural Area is a site most of us are probably unfamiliar with. It is located between the Cedar River Trail and the Cedar River, just downriver from the Landsburg Dam/Sockeye Hatchery. Take a quick jaunt down the Cedar River Trail to find this tucked away spot in one of the “S” curves of…
-
Random Photo Post: Chinook Bend on an icy morning
-
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)!
-
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…
-
#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
-
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…
-
Volunteer Spotlight: Appreciation Dinner 2016
Guest blogger: Matt Fieser, Veteran Fellow Intern – King County Parks Volunteer Program When I tell people that I work for King County Parks, the first question they always ask is, “do you work with Chris Pratt?” Hilarious. No, I don’t know or work with Chris Pratt, but my time working with the King County…