Mark National Trails Day in Issaquah Alps
June 3, 2011
NEW — 3 p.m. June 3, 2011
Saturday is National Trails Day — a perfect opportunity to join King County Parks and Washington Trails Association volunteers on Cougar Mountain.
In addition the Issaquah Alps site, people can participate in National Trails Day at several sites throughout King County. The daylong effort is designed to keep the county’s 175 miles of regional trails and 180 miles of backcountry trails safe, clean and open.
“Participating in a work party is a great way to help maintain trails that provide access to the 26,000 acres of parks and open space that we manage on behalf of the citizens of King County,” King County Parks Director Kevin Brown said in a statement.
Sponsored by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day is meant to inspire people to visit a favorite trail or try something different.
The event at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is organized by the Washington Trails Association. People can sign up at the trails association’s website or call 206-625-1367.
King County Parks hosts more than 100 volunteer trail work events on projects to complement work done by the agency’s full-time backcountry trails crew. The full-time crew works on various trail construction projects across the county, backed by funding from the voter-approved 2007 King County Parks levy.
County, Washington Trails Association to dedicate Grand Ridge bridge
October 4, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. Oct. 4, 2010
Trees felled during a fierce windstorm in December 2006 found another use as material for a bridge across a coho salmon-bearing stream in Grand Ridge Park north of the Issaquah Highlands.
Now, hikers, runners, mountain bikers and other trail users no longer need to risk life, limb or shoe to cross Canyon Creek.
King County Parks and the Washington Trails Association partnered to build a 40-foot bridge across the creek. The organizations plan to dedicate the bridge at noon Thursday. Enjoy trail snacks and prizes at the ceremony. Find a map of the park here.
Soccer club could be key to future of Klahanie Park
March 30, 2010
The process to transfer the county-run Klahanie Park to Sammamish has slowed, as King County officials and the Issaquah Soccer Club discuss ways to keep the park open. Read more
County outlines solution for Klahanie Park
March 16, 2010
Under a new proposal offered by King County, Issaquah could still receive Klahanie Park if the city someday annexed the surrounding neighborhood — even if Sammamish acquired the facility in the meantime.
King County Parks Director Kevin Brown offered a proposal to transfer ownership of the park to whichever city annexes Klahanie. Sammamish has proposed a takeover of Klahanie Park in unincorporated King County, but the offer has riled neighborhood residents.
If Issaquah ever annexes Klahanie — and if neighborhood residents vote for the proposal — Issaquah receives the park alongside the neighborhood.
City wants Klahanie Park decision to hinge on growth
March 2, 2010
Local residents try to have their say in keeping Klahanie Park open, and which local jurisdiction they would like to see be its steward as King County officials plan to close the park. — By Greg Farrar
Issaquah city officials called last week for decisions about adding Klahanie Park to the municipal parks system to be made alongside long-term growth agreements.
Issaquah officials want Klahanie Park decision to hinge on growth
February 26, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Feb. 26, 2010
City officials called Thursday for decisions about adding Klahanie Park to the municipal parks system to be made alongside long-term growth agreements.
Members of the Council Services & Safety Committee discussed the park Thursday night. The committee followed a recommendation from the city administration to weigh decisions about the park in conjunction with potential Klahanie annexations in mind.
Although Klahanie and nearby neighborhoods border Issaquah and Sammamish, the area is included only in long-term growth plans for Issaquah. Officials from both cities will discuss the issue and others at a March 9 joint meeting.
City officials also encouraged King County to forge a maintenance agreement with a volunteer group or government agencies to keep the park open.
The full council will discuss the issue at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Members meet in the Council Chambers at City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way.
Klahanie Park closer to transfer of ownership
November 3, 2009
The King County Parks Department has taken a major step toward ceding Klahanie Park to the city of Sammamish. Read more
Crews will begin work at Swedish hospital site Monday
August 12, 2009
NEW — 3:25 p.m. Aug. 12, 2009
Crews will begin excavation work at the Swedish Medical Center hospital campus Monday, hospital executives said today. Plans call for a medical office building, outpatient care center and — eventually — hospital beds on 18 acres in the Issaquah Highlands.
During the first phase of construction, crews will build the office building and outpatient center. Hospital executives said the initial phase would open in summer 2011. A second phase — with 80 hospital beds — is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2012. The second phase will eventually expand to 175 beds.
“People are anxious to have the care close to home,” said Kevin Brown, a Swedish Medical Center senior vice president leading the Issaquah expansion.
The planned campus — at the southwestern corner of Highlands Drive Northeast and Ninth Avenue Northeast — will offer inpatient and outpatient services, including oncology, cardiac care, obstetrics, pediatrics and neurosciences and intensive care.
