Category: 26,000 Acres of Open Space

  • Random photo post: Bald eagle over Lake Sammamish

  • My, has it been 35 years already?

    Back in the heyday of bell bottoms was born a quiet park along a big river in sleepy Carnation. Although much has changed in the world around us since the park opened as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebrations in 1976, the story behind the creation of Tolt-MacDonald Park continues to inspire us today. The…

  • Little footprint big forest

    Hey kids, we’ve got some homework for ya. King County Parks and the King County Solid Waste Division’s GreenTools Program are partnering on a design competition. What is it you ask? Well let’s just say that we want to turn unused cargo containers into really cool ‘green lodging’. Sound like your kind of thing? Good,…

  • Dog walking at Island Center Forest and Taylor Mountain

    If you have a dog, you’ve probably realized by now that King County is full of fun places where dogs and their human companions can go and romp around in the outdoors.  Here at King County Parks, we love dogs (and their people).  In fact, our very own Marymoor Park, which features a 40-acre off-leash…

  • Random photo post: Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area

  • Better weather is coming…

    …and King County Parks is ready to meet all your sunny (or not-so-sunny) day needs! As you’ve probably figured out by now, except for a few rare days here and there, the weather has been just plain ugly for the first four months of 2011. To wit: April has recorded the coldest average monthly high…

  • Engage in Parks

    With the promise of better weather just around the corner and a wealth of fun events, activities and amenities awaiting, King County Parks encourages everyone to “Engage in Parks” this April. There are several ways to get active and support King County Parks – Your Big Backyard. For more information and links to, visit the…

  • April is Earth Month! (and that’s no joke)

    It may be April Fool’s Day, but here at King County Parks, Earth Month is no joke. We love Mother Earth and we *heart* King County Parks even more, so we encourage you to join us in grand green spirit to celebrate Earth Month! Need some ideas of what to do? Even those crazy kids…

  • Photos + Parks = Awesome-sauce

    In case you haven’t been paying attention, we here at KC Parks are big fans of documenting our gorgeous and varied assets (yeah assets).  Not only that, we like to share. Sharing really isn’t a one-sided affair though, I mean takers like to tell you it is, let’s be honest everyone wants something in return.…

  • Maury Island eagle

    Sites and sounds at Maury Island. Before taking flight this eagle let staff know his true feelings.

  • Got cabin fever? We’ve got the solution!

    Feeling cooped up lately, after all these weeks of crazy storms and cold winds? Dr. Big Backyard hereby orders you to plant some trees, shrubs and other native species in one of these fine King County Parks during March! All events go from 10 am – 2 pm, unless otherwise indicated. No experience necessary and…

  • Tanner Landing: Snow-pocalypse

    A very concerned micro-snowman. Photo provided by a King County Parks’ Ambassador that braved the snow-pocalypse, and lived to share this photo.

  • Random photo post: Spring Lake/Lake Desire

    We do occasionally have people ask if there are lizards in western Washington. We have them, they’re called skinks, and here is your proof. The photo was shot by staff, and we’re pretty sure it’s authentic.

  • 2010 Volunteer appreciation

    Yes we know it’s 2011, but it does take time to crunch the numbers, and man these are some numbers. Seriously, volunteer work helps keep  these parks clean, open and safe. Volunteers enhance parks, trails, natural area, and recreational amenities all throughout the county. Thank you everyone, for your time and dedication in helping make…

  • Field notes: I’m on a boat…on the beach

    Add this one to the boatload (pfffhahahaaaaaa) of issues we deal with here in parks. We see a few abandoned boats every year between Dockton and Maury Island Park on Vashon Island that must be removed at a whale (can’t stop) of a cost to the public. They also prevent other boaters from docking and…

  • Field Notes: Employee Appreciation

    Today, we here at King County Parks took a moment and gathered our staff from all corners of the county to celebrate a few of our own. We honored 34 staff members who have given 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 years of service to King County. You know where this is going.…

  • Enter new year…

    On average, folks gain 7 to 12 pounds over the holidays. You heard correctly – 7 to 12. So unless you’re packing it on to keep warm this winter, maybe it’s time to hit one of our parks or trails and break a sweat. Visit our online Park finder map for suggestions on activities or…

  • Today’s ‘Parkon’ Deal of the Day

    Select from your choice of 200 parks, 26,000 acres of open space or 175 miles of regional trails. This offer is brought to you by King County Parks | Your Big Backyard. Fine print No expiration date, and you can revisit any park or trail multiple times. Spread the love and share this deal with…

  • Saving lives one park at a time

    The New York Times has stumbled across something. It’s called the outdoors. We are huge fans, as a matter of fact *we maintain a healthy chunk of them, so why not come check them out and live a longer/less angry life in the process. * We’re not doctors we just play them outside.

  • Leave a legacy this weekend

    We are planting trees at Cavanaugh Pond this weekend as part of its overall restoration. Feel like joining us? We’ll have snacks and our undying gratitude for you for helping us maintain and restore this beautiful piece of land. For more info try these links: our calendar, the Pond’s web page, or if you can’t…

  • Slammin’ salmon!!!

    That’s right fry, it’s time again for some spawnin’ watchin’. We’re making it easy for you to know where the salmon watching hotspots are by providing this link. Once there, keep the tailgating safe and drink (juice) responsibly. Oh and don’t leave our post until hearing this entire track. Every spawnin’ watchin’ event needs this…

  • United Way Day of Caring

    Friday is United Way’s Day of Caring. Will we be seeing you, did your company sign up to participate? In previous years Microsoft, Group Health and a number of other local companies have participated. It’s a great way to help us remove invasives, pot/plant trees, and clear trails in our 26,ooo acres. Plus it’s a…

  • PARK(ing) Day, Sept 17th

    Let’s be honest. Parking spaces are boring unless you’re tailgating at a Lady Gaga concert. Tomorrow, we will be putting the awesome in a parking space downtown in honor of PARK(ing) Day. Come learn about what your 26,000 acres has to offer and play to win some cool swag. Bring your feet because we’ll have…

  • Add some learnin’ to your next Island Center Forest visit.

    King County Parks in partnership with the Friends of Island Center Forest, which =’s the Vashon Forest Stewards, Vashon Island Horse Assoc, Vashon Audubon, and the Vashon Land Trust commissioned Vashon resident Sandra Noel to create 6 new interpretive signs along the trails at ICF.  They were created to help educate visitors about the site’s…

  • Random photo post: Black Diamond Natural Area

  • Hug a tree at Foresty Field Day, Sat July 31st at Maple Ridge Highlands

    Got trees? Make sure your little bit o’ heaven stays healthy and vibrant at the Forestry Field Day this Sat, July 31st. Join King County Executive Dow Constantine and experts from King County’s forestry program and Parks Division, who will offer helpful tips for local forest-owners. There will also be trainings, how-to’s and hands on…

  • You’re either Vash-on or Vash-off…

    …as the locals are fond of saying. To understand it, you need to spend some time on the island, and while you are there, swing by Island Center Forest and observe all that is the new ICF interpretive signs. Glorious! The kiosks were constructed by our partner Vashon Forest Stewards, and the art courtesy Sandra…

  • Races, treks, and tidepools, oh my!

    Forecast for weekend weather looks great, soooo whatcha gonna do with all that sunshine? We’ve got heaps of options for the offering here at King County Parks! FSA Grand Prix Marymoor Velodrome Fri, July 23-Sat, July 24 Super speedy bike races. More info here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/dnrp/newsroom/newsreleases/2010/july/0721Velodrome.aspx The Long Walk A trek from Fremont to Snoqualmie Fri,…

  • Thanks to our summer AmeriCorps volunteers

    AmeriCorps volunteers wrapped up a week-long stint of removing Scotch broom at Ring Hill Forest last Friday, and we just wanted to say thanks. With partners like these we keep the invasives at bay. AmeriCorps – heck, yeah!

  • Overgrowth and Understory: Art at Cougar Mountain

    Overgrowth & Understory is a temporary outdoor sculpture exhibition at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which opens July 10th and runs through October 2nd. Join us on opening day at the artist reception! Overgrowth & Understory – Artist Reception Anti-Aircraft Peak Trailhead Saturday, July 10 3 – 5  pm Featuring 16 pieces placed near the…