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In the spirit of Earth Day, here’s a short quiz about King County Parks:
What year was the King County Parks system created?
A. 1938 B. 1968 C. 1971
The original parks system included 150 acres of parkland. How many acres of parkland compose the King County Parks system today?
A. 412 acres B. 1,400 acres C. 28,000 acres
Scroll down for answers 😊
CM Quinn votes to put the parks proposal on the August 5 ballot for your consideration. Click image for his comments at council explaining his vote
As a councilmember, I voted this week to put the renewal of the King County Parks Levy for voter’s consideration in the August 5 primary. Voters have previously had the opportunity to vote on the King County Parks levy in 2003, 2007, 2013, and 2019.
Please know that my office is strictly prohibited from advising on how you should vote. Voting for or against is entirely your decision to make on your own, or in consultation with your family and neighbors as you choose.
If you would like background information, here is a link to the Parks Levy website which explains the proposal made by the King County Executive.
If you would like to watch the Council’s comments and vote to place this on the ballot, please click here to watch the meeting. Staff reports can be reviewed here and here.
Answers to the above quiz:
The King County Parks system was created in 1938 to provide small parks and playgrounds. In fact, there are field houses built by WPA (Works Progress Administration) that are still in use today! The King County Parks system was dramatically expanded with voter-approval of Forward Thrust in 1968. King County Executive John Spellman (later WA Governor) created a plan for King County Parks in 1971 which included a 629-mile urban trail system.
Today the King County Parks system has 28,000 acres including 175 miles of trails, 205 parks and 215 miles of backcountry trails to serve 2.3 million residents. The original 150-acre parks system has expanded over time with the purchase of a 412-acre farm in 1962 which became Marymoor Park. It also expanded with the purchase of 1,400 acres in 1986 which became Cougar Mountain Park.
For more detail about the history of the parks system, visit HistoryLink.
The goal of the D5 e-news is to share information about council business, upcoming community events, access to services, opportunities, and ways for us to build an even better King County.
If you have something to share, please do not hesitate to contact me at desean.quinn@kingcounty.gov or 206 477-1005.
This week:
COMTO awarded De’Sean Quinn “Outstanding Leader of the Year” for his work at Metro Transit.
On Friday April 11, COMTO – an association of transportation professionals held an awards ceremony. I received Outstanding Leader of the Year for my work as a Metro Strategic Planning Manager which was my job prior to being appointed to the King County Council. It was an honor to be recognized by my peers.
On Monday, I prepared for the week with my D5 Team! See below for some details about issues we are working on.
The Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee received a briefing on transit security. Click image to watch the meeting.
On Tuesday, I chaired the Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee meeting where we received a briefing from Metro on transit security. I asked questions about translating data into something more applicable to the daily transit rider and making sure transit security officers are being scheduled late at night.
My staff attended the South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) meeting which was at the same time where transit fares were discussed. For more information on SCATBd, click here.
In the afternoon, the council meeting included a proclamation recognizing Vaisakhi day, a day of reflection for Sikhs worldwide, serving as an opportunity to recommit to the principles of Sikhism, including selflessness, courage, and community service, while celebrating the vibrant heritage and contributions of Sikh communities.
Sikh representatives, including Chirag Veer Singh Sarao a Bellevue High School student, joined King County Councilmembers in acknowledging Voisakhi day of reflection and community service.
The council meeting also included a recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Khmer genocide in Cambodia. Speakers from the Cambodian American Community Council of WA (CACCWA), Khmer Anti-deportation and Advocacy Group (Khaag), Cambodian Cultural Alliance of WA (CCAW), Cambodian American Friendship Foundation (CAFF), and Cambodian Americans Advocating Peace (CAAP) gave powerful testimonies.
King County is home to a large Cambodian population many of whom can tell the stories of how the genocide impacted their families.
Representatives from the Cambodian American Community Council of WA (CACCWA), Khmer Anti-deportation and Advocacy Group (Khaag), Cambodian Cultural Alliance of WA (CCAW), Cambodian American Friendship Foundation (CAFF), and Cambodian Americans Advocating Peace (CAAP) joined King County Councilmembers in acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the Khmer genocide in the spirit of never allowing it to happen again.
The council also received public comment regarding placing the Parks Levy on the ballot. Councilmembers each shared their individual thoughts and then voted 7-2 to place the levy on the August 5 ballot.
Discussion about the Federal Priorities agenda was deferred to June 10 which will be closer to the council’s 3-day lobby trip to D.C.
Discussion about the final appointment of an Interim County Executive was deferred one week to April 22. Stay tuned!
On Wednesday, I attended the Local Services and Land Use Committee which received a briefing on work to prevent wildland fires. The committee was also briefed on the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) which would increase required set-backs on undeveloped land around waterways to protect habitat. I asked questions regarding best available science.
I joined the Regional Transit Committee (RTC) meeting which was also briefed on transit security. The Regional Transit Committee includes representatives from cities including both Seattle and suburban cities. You can watch the meeting here.
CM Quinn tours the pet cemetery in Kent with members of the D5 Team. Thank you Julie Seitz, Board President of Community and Friends of the Seattle-Tacoma Pet Cemetery (CFSTPC) for providing the tour.
On Thursday, we received a state legislative update which included information on the budgets being considered in the legislature.
We also had the opportunity to visit the pet cemetery in Kent with Julie Seitz, Board President of Community and Friends of the Seattle-Tacoma Pet Cemetery (CFSTPC). Ms. Seitz explained to us her organization’s efforts to protect and enhance this special place where people can remember pets they have lost.
CM Quinn examines an area with reported concerns about encampments in District 5.
We also drove by an area in D5 with a series of encampments that have the source of multiple constituent emails of concern. The encampments are located on private property in unincorporated King County. We have been in communication with code enforcement in the Local Services Division, the Sheriff’s office as well as the Regional Homelessness Authority and work is underway to help get people who are camping into services and housing.
Left to right: Batallion Chief Josh Kelch, CM Quinn and Puget Sound Regional Fire Chief Brian Carson.
CM Quinn met with the chiefs to learn more about how first responders address emergencies at encampments.
We met with Puget Sound Fire Chief Brian Carson and Batallion Chief Josh Kelch regarding responding to emergencies at encampments in D5.
If you are concerned about an encampment in unincorporated King County causing hazardous conditions or accumulation of junk and debris, please contact King County Local Services. If you are concerned about crime related to an encampment in unincorporated King County, please call 9-1-1 or contact the King County Sheriff’s office.
My staff also participated in the South Link Partnership Review Board meeting which reviewed plans to restructure transit service to support the Federal Way LINK extension through South King County. Community feedback on recommendations and decision-making factors were discussed.
On Friday, we prepared for the upcoming week and responded to constituent inquiries.
Sincerely,
De’Sean Quinn
King County Councilmember, District 5
Des Moines, Kent, Normandy Park, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila
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