Fred Jarrett to lead initiative exploring new and better ways to serve unincorporated areas 

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that Senior Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett will take on a major new body of work, leading an initiative to explore new and better ways to serve the people of unincorporated King County. The initiative will study ways to improve how direct and contracted services – including roads, public safety and clean water – are delivered in unincorporated areas even as the County’s General Fund revenues chronically fall behind population growth and inflation due to state-imposed revenue limitations.

For more information, view the announcement here.

Trail News

This time of year there are more people out on King County’s Regional Trail System than ever. More people also means that everyone using the trails needs to look out for each other. Our trails are a shared resource, for use by all King County residents. While we encourage everyone to get out and enjoy our beautiful parks and trails, there are a few key things to remember when you're out walking, biking, or running. Remember that trails are for everyone; be polite, be friendly and follow proper trail etiquette.

Trailhead Direct gets you to  popular King County parks...without the parking In response to increased weekend parking congestion at area trailheads, and as a way to provide more trail access to more people, King County Metro Transit and Parks have partnered to create Trailhead Direct, a new weekend transit route that combines with regular bus service, or parking at nearby facilities, to provide direct service to several Issaquah area trailheads. Some of the trails available from these trailheads include: - Margaret’s Way – Cougar/Squak Corridor Park - Poo Poo Point - East Sunset Way – High School Trail Hikers who want to use Trailhead Direct can ride regular Metro service to, or park at, the Issaquah Transit Center or the Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride lot.

Green to Cedar Rivers open house & trail walk

Approximately 50 people attended the Aug. 8 Green to Cedar Rivers Trail Open House and Trail Walk at Lake Wilderness Lodge. Staff presented the preferred design option for the trail and Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly and Councilmember Erin Weaver both spoke in support of developing the trail. During the open house and trail walk the public asked questions and voted on trail access points and retaining wall façade options.  Please visit the project website for more information.

Cougar Mountain’s Big Tree Ridge Trailhead closed

The Big Tree Ridge trailhead at King County’s Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is currently closed through Fall 2017 due to a City of Issaquah construction project which involves a culvert replacement that runs underneath Newport Way Northwest near Northwest Oakcrest Drive. View the Cougar Mountain backcountry trail map for alternative trailhead options.

Tiny Trees Preschool opening in King County Parks

Tiny Trees Preschool will begin offering classes at King County’s Big Finn Hill Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park’s Red Town Trailhead in September through King County Parks’ Community Partnerships and Grants program. The preschool operates entirely outdoors in the parks. Their mission is to use outdoor classrooms to provide affordable quality education in reading, math and science for families and to give children a joyful, nature-rich childhood.  For more information, visit their website.

Grants available for arts, technology, sports in unicorporated areas

Funding opportunity through King County Parks’ Youth and Amateur Sports Grants Youth and Amateur Sports Grants (YASG) support fit and healthy communities by investing in programs and capital projects that reduce barriers to access physical activity, $1.5 million in anticipated funding will go toward government agencies and nonprofit organizations serving unincorporated areas. Applications will be available from Sept. 27 to Nov. 9. Read more about YASG’s 2017 program and visit their website for additional information.

Art and tech grants up for grabs

4Culture is seeking media artists from unincorporated King County to create works for e4c, their electronic storefront gallery (deadline Sept. 27), and artists and arts group working at the intersection of art and technology to apply for a Tech Specific project grant (deadline Sept. 28).

Community Services Area grant application period opens in September

The 2018 funding application opportunity for community organizations in unincorporated King County begins in September. Organizations throughout unincorporated King County will be able to apply for $90,000 to support local community building initiatives. Local organizations will have a few months to apply for up to $5,000 in funding to support local initiatives through King County’s CSA Program. Information listing past awardees and the criteria used for this year’s funding is available on the website. Applications will be due Friday, Nov. 17.

Safety tips

September is National Preparedness Month  Taking action to prepare BEFORE disaster strikes provides greater peace of mind and helps you know what to do when it happens. Making your home, work, and school disaster ready is easy - make a plan, build a kit, and get involved.  Learn more.

Hey, what’s up with bats?

Three rabid bats have been found in public areas within King County since Aug. 19 and an additional two rabid bats were found  that had no exposure to the public. King County Public Health sat down with Vance Kawakami, DVM MPH, one of our public health veterinarians and an epidemiologist, to find out what is going on with bats lately.

Vashon-Maury Island News

Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust and King County Parks partnership Through a Community Partnerships Grant, the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust has partnered with King County Parks to plan, design, permit, renovate, and build trails and parking on Vashon Island. The Land Trust has a goal to rebuild a lost trail network that used to stretch from the north end of the island all the way to Tahlequah. With this grant and partnership, they will be working on multiple short segments of trails and multiple parking areas in the Judd Creek and Shinglemill Creek corridors. For more information about the trail and parking project, you can reach the Land Trust at 206-463-2644 or info@vashonlandtrust.org.

Vashon Community Plan being considered by County Council

The Executive’s recommended Vashon-Maury Island Community Service Area plan is being considered by  the Metropolitan King County Council.  A web page to monitor the Council’s adoption process can be found here. To add your email to receive notifications of upcoming public meetings and hearings you can send an email to CouncilCompPlan@kingcounty.gov and request to be added to the Vashon-Maury Island CSA Plan list.

West King County Area News

King County staff are actively engaged in reviewing and updating the Skyway-West Hill Action Plan. A draft will be available in September to be followed by a community forum. For information about the planning process contact Bradley Clark at Bradley.Clark@kingcounty.gov  

Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area News

Big Backyard Movie Night in Fall City - Sept. 30 Join King County Parks for a special Big Backyard Movie Night showing of "Trolls" at Fall City Park on Saturday, Sept. 30. Bring your low-backed chairs, blankets, snacks, and enjoy a relaxed evening. The movie will be projected onto a 40-foot-tall inflatable movie screen so invite your friends, teammates, and family – we’ve got space! Seating opens at 5:30 p.m., movie starts at dusk (around 7 p.m.). Follow King County Parks on Facebook to get updates and information about this fun upcoming event!

Savor Snoqualmie

Visit the Savor Snoqualmie Valley website and learn about the many activities available to residents and visitors including the North Bend Blues Walk, Pick and Prep at Carnation Farms and Farm Faire and Pig Roast, just to name a few.

Upcoming Community Meetings

Green Valley/Lake Holm Association Meeting

Wednesday, September 27, 2017, 6:30 p.m.
Fire District 44, Station 95
32316 148th Ave. SE 
Auburn, WA
Green Valley Lake Holm Association will be holding their annual Community Event on October 3, 2017 at the Wine & Roses Country Estate.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Please visit the association Facebook page or Twitter or email. 

Greater Maple Valley Area Council Meeting

Monday, Sept.  11, 7-9:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 2, 7-9:30 p.m.
Maple Valley Fire Station
231st St. and SR-169
Maple Valley, WA
Visit the website for more information. 

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7-9 p.m.
Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78
20720 SE May Valley Rd
Issaquah, WA
Visit the website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.

Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage

Monday, Sept. 25, 6:30-8 p.m.
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
12819 160th Ave. SE
Renton, WA
Visit website for the latest information and to confirm meeting dates and locations.

Skyway Solutions board meeting

Monday, Sept. 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
13470 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S
Seattle, WA
Email Michael Majeed for more information or visit the website.

West Hill Community Association Board meeting

Wednesday. Sept. 13, 7-9 p.m.
Skyway Fire District 20
12424 76th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA
Monthly board meeting open to the public.  For more information visit the website or contact via email.

West Hill Business Association meeting

Tues., Sept. 19, 9 a.m.
Skyway VFW
7421 S 126th St.
Seattle, WA
Email Cynthia Lamothe for more information.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 7, 7 - 9 p.m.
North Highline Fire District Training Center
1243 SW 112th St.
For more information, check the North Highline UAC website or contact via email.

Fall City Community Association

Friday, Sept. 8, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fall City Fire Station
4301 334th Pl. SE
Fall City, WA
For more information visit the Fall City Community Association website.

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