Levies could fund Cougar Mountain trailhead, other projects
January 15, 2013
King County voters could decide soon on dollars to complete the East Lake Sammamish Trail, add a Cougar Mountain trailhead in Issaquah, and continue funding parks and trails countywide.
Late last year, King County Parks Levy Task Force members unanimously recommended continuing a pair of six-year levies to support county-run parks, trails and open space. Voters overwhelmingly approved the most recent pair of park levies in 2007.
The voter-approved levies fund the bulk of park operations, but the property tax measures expire in December 2013. In June, King County Executive Dow Constantine convened the task force to explore options for future funding.
Department of Ecology fines King County for trail work violation
December 18, 2012
State regulators fined King County $1,500 after workers failed to follow rules to stop sediment discharges into a municipal storm drain during construction on the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
The state Department of Ecology said crews from the county Facilities Management Division repeatedly did not install the proper controls outlined under the storm water permit to prevent sediment discharges.
The agency issued the fine July 20, but did not announce the penalty until Nov. 27, as the Department of Ecology detailed all fines issued statewide between July and September. Officials typically do not issue individual media releases unless a penalty reaches $10,000 or more.
Parks task force recommends 2013 property tax measure
December 10, 2012
NEW — 8 a.m. Dec. 10, 2012
King County voters could decide next year on dollars to complete the East Lake Sammamish Trail, add a Cougar Mountain trailhead in Issaquah, and continue funding parks and trails countywide.
Late last month, King County Parks Levy Task Force members unanimously recommended continuing a pair of six-year levies to support county-run parks, trails and open space. Voters overwhelmingly approved the most recent pair of park levies in 2007.
The voter-approved levies fund the bulk of park operations, but the property tax measures expire in December 2013. In June, King County Executive Constantine convened the task force to explore options future funding.
All aboard, Issaquah, as downtown trolley starts service
October 16, 2012
Barbara Justice drives Issaquah Valley Trolley Car No. 519 to the Issaquah Train Depot on Oct. 14. By Michael Johnson
The long-envisioned Issaquah Valley Trolley started service Oct. 14, as organizers start limited service after more than a decade of planning.
The public can ride the streetcar from the Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N., during limited weekend service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. into November.
The streetcar runs from the depot to the bridge across the East Fork of Issaquah Creek at Darigold, about a half-mile north.
Though the track extends to Northwest Gilman Boulevard, additional work is necessary to prepare the track to accommodate the trolley. North of Northwest Gilman Boulevard, crews removed the track to create the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
Downtown Issaquah streetcar rides start Oct. 14
October 9, 2012
The long-planned Issaquah Valley Trolley is due to start service Oct. 14, as organizers start limited service after more than a decade of planning.
Issaquah Valley Trolley Project volunteers plan to host a dedication ceremony at the Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N., at 1 p.m. and then start public rides.
The public can ride the streetcar during limited weekend service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. into November.
The streetcar runs from the depot to the bridge across the East Fork of Issaquah Creek at Darigold, about a half-mile north.
Though the track extends to Northwest Gilman Boulevard, additional work is necessary to prepare the track to accommodate the trolley. North of Northwest Gilman Boulevard, crews removed the track to create the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
Downtown Issaquah Valley Trolley starts service soon
October 8, 2012
Issaquah Valley Trolley Car No. 519 stops at the Issaquah Train Depot. Contributed from Issaquah Valley Trolley Project
NEW — 8 a.m. Oct. 8, 2012
The long-planned Issaquah Valley Trolley is due to start service Oct. 14, as organizers start limited service after more than a decade of planning.
East Lake Sammamish Trail closes for upgrades
May 22, 2012
The regional East Lake Sammamish Trail through Issaquah is closed for up to a year as crews remove the existing gravel surface and construct a 12-foot asphalt trail.
King County closed the trail to all users May 14. The closure affects a 2.2-mile stretch from Northwest Gilman Boulevard to Southeast 43rd Way.
The estimated cost to complete the segment is $2.74 million. The county used funding from the King County Open Space and Trails Levy, federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program, and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.
Plans also call for crews to add gravel shoulders, concrete sidewalk connections, retaining walls, fencing and signage, plus wetland planting and landscaping.
The extensive work in the narrow corridor required a complete closure. Officials advised trail users to find alternate routes around the closed section.
The upgrade is meant to make the trail accessible to a wider range of users, including bicyclists with narrow tires, those with inline skates and others.
The completed East Lake Sammamish Trail is meant to stretch 44 miles from Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood to Issaquah.
Issaquah hatchery could collect fewer salmon eggs as cost-cutting measure
September 27, 2011
The unsettled economy is threatening the chinook-salmon spawning program at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has proposed reducing the number of chinook eggs collected at Issaquah and other state-run hatcheries to cut costs as the state faces a $1.4 billion shortfall.
The proposal recommends for the local hatchery to collect about 1.3 million eggs — about 1 million fewer than hatchery crews planned to collect.
“Issaquah is not a sole target in this,” said Doug Hatfield, hatchery operations manager for the region encompassing Issaquah. “This is a decision that the agency put forth to distribute this impact throughout Puget Sound and on the coast.”
$6.2 million pedestrian bridge opens after delays
July 5, 2011
Protesters carry signs to decry the cost of a pedestrian bridge across Interstate 90 the day the bridge opened, July 1. By Tim Pfarr
The pedestrian bridge at Interstate 90 and state Route 900 opened July 1, months after the expected completed date.
Delays related to the bridge pilings and inclement weather slowed construction on the $6.2 million project.
Cougar Mountain, Duthie Hill park projects proceed
July 5, 2011
Improvements to King County and state recreation lands near Issaquah inched ahead last week, as conservation officials outlined plans to spend $42 million for projects statewide.
The plan from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office includes funding for projects on Cougar and Tiger mountains, in Duthie Hill Park and along the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
State legislators approved funding for the projects in a last-minute push as a special session ended in late May. The agencies proposing the projects promised matching funds to complete construction.
The state Recreation and Conservation Office presented a complete list of projects at a hearing in Olympia on June 22.
