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Spring at the Preserve
Pictures taken by Martin Bohanan

             

Enjoy one of our newest parks, Evans Creek Preserve, as we walk along approximately two miles of trails and boardwalks that move through gentle terrain and provide vistas of open meadows and wetlands.  Sammamish Parks Commissioner Brad Conner will lead us through this recently-developed 179-acre property.

Register for the walk here.   

Opening in the fall of 2011, Evans Creek Preserve (ECP) is located in unincorporated King County on the city of Sammamish’s northern border.  This undeveloped open space includes a segment of Evans Creek, large areas of wetlands, steep slopes, and open meadow areas.  A diverse collection of wildlife calls ECP home, including deer, black bears, hawks, songbirds, and beavers.

The first phase of construction was completed in September 2011 and includes a 10-stall parking lot, tool shed for volunteer work parties, informational kiosks, park restrooms and over 2 miles of trails.  A majority of the trails were built in partnership with the Washington Trail Association, a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, enhance and promote hiking opportunities in Washington State through collaboration, education, advocacy and volunteer trail maintenance.  In addition, members of the community, corporations, nonprofits, church and school groups volunteered and helped build the first phase of ECP.  Click here for more information regarding phase I construction. 

Starting in January 2013, park planning staff started working on phase II design which includes adding approximately 2 miles trails on the southern slopes of the preserve.  Currently the plan is to add a pedestrian connection from the existing parking lot located off of Sahalee Way NE, across the street from NE Sammamish Park.  This will also be a trail head giving direct access to ECP from within city limits.  Additional work to be completed as part of phase II improvements include adding viewing deck, minimal improvements to the existing parking lot, informational kiosk and a park entry sign. Volunteer work parties are tentatively scheduled to start this fall and continue through 2015. 

Goals and Benefits:

1.  Protect, enhance and restore sensitive areas.
2.  Protect soil stability onsite, surface waters from pollution and water quality of Evans Creek.
3.  Plan for appropriate public access including recreational and educational opportunities.

Permits:

1.  Project SEPA
2.  HPA
3.  Construction NPDES
4.  King County Clear and Grade
5.  King County Building Permit
6.  King County Department of Health
7.  King County Demolition Permit

Budget:

$850,000 in the City's 2011/2012 CIP Fund for Phase I design and construction.
$200,000 in the City's 2013/2014 CIP Fund for Phase II design and construction.