Lakeside Industries donates 5-plus acres
OLYMPIA – Nov. 1, 2018 – Lake Sammamish State Park’s footprint recently increased by more than 5 acres, thanks to a generous donation of land from Issaquah-based Lakeside Industries.
The newly acquired property lies just east of the park and includes nearly 1,200 linear feet along the eastern bank of Issaquah Creek. The addition of this property better connects the park to the city of Issaquah and will tie in to other restoration efforts along both sides of the creek. Now, nearly all the creek from E. Lake Sammamish Parkway to the lake is in public ownership. Good news for visitors: an existing trail in the parcel will connect with the parks’ trails, creating a 2.5-mile loop around the southern part of the park.
Grant application leads to donation
Earlier this year, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust was in the process of working with Washington State Parks to write a grant to the King County Flood Control District to acquire the property, which Lakeside was willing to sell below market value. The Greenway Trust would then seek additional funding for long-term restoration work. After meeting with representatives from the Greenway Trust and visiting the site together, Lakeside Industries decided to donate the 5.32-acre property outright to Washington State Parks.
“We recognized the greater value that the parcel offered to stream conservation efforts, salmon restoration and the preservation of state lands,” said Timothy Lee, CEO of Lakeside.
The land donation means the Greenway Trust was able to get grant funding for restoration work sooner than planned. Beginning next spring, the Greenway Trust plans to initiate restoration of this section of the creek as part of a larger effort that will include volunteers, AmeriCorps members and other partners who will remove weeds and plant native trees and shrubs in coming years.
“Washington State Parks is grateful to the Greenway Trust for facilitating the donation by Lakeside Industries,” said Nikki Fields, Washington State Parks planner. “We look forward to working with the community to improve the creek for salmon habitat and to improve access for visitors.”
“Lakeside’s donation is a great example of the power of collaboration and storytelling,” said Mackenzie Dolstad, Greenway Trust stewardship program manager. “By working with State Parks and Lakeside Industries, we were able to make progress on salmon conservation and recreational enhancement goals and tie into the larger story of the long-term efforts to improve and enhance Issaquah Creek."
Restoration plans
Restoring this section of Issaquah Creek will include clearing invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberry and planting thousands of native trees and shrubs, including native conifers. The lower part of Issaquah Creek lacks sufficient large woody debris to provide the kind of protected habitat young Chinook salmon need. Restoration in this area also will tie into the Greenway Trust, State Parks and the city of Issaquah’s long-term restoration efforts along Issaquah Creek. This work includes a study to restore the creek throughout the park by adding large woody material to support Chinook salmon habitat.
The site is conveniently located and accessible for volunteers, and the Greenway Trust will use volunteer events to educate and engage the public in salmon recovery efforts.
About the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust leads and inspires action to conserve and enhance the landscape from Seattle across the Cascade Mountains to Central Washington, ensuring a long-term balance between people and nature. Since 1991, collaboration and hard work have tested and strengthened the vision of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, proving to this region and the rest of the nation that collaborative conservation, convening a broad-based and inclusive coalition of partners, can effect positive change. For more information, visit: https://mtsgreenway.org/
About Lake Sammamish State Park
At more than 530 acres with nearly 7,000 feet of lakefront, Lake Sammamish State Park offers refuge, recreation and relaxation adjacent to the bustling city of Issaquah. The day-use park offers picnic spots, hiking trails, paddlecraft concessions, a sand volleyball court and an award-winning, state-of-the art ADA-compliant playground and much more. Learn more about the park: http://parks.state.wa.us/533/Lake-Sammamish
Note to media: A larger version of the map and photos of the donated land are available upon request. Please contact Toni Droscher.
News media contacts:
Toni Droscher, State Parks Communications Office, (360) 902-8604
Nikki Fields, State Parks Planning, (360) 902-8658
Mackenzie Dolstad, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, (206) 503-0683
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
News release number: 18-068