King County Parks - Your Big Backyard

Want to get outdoors and help others do so too? King County Parks is soliciting proposals from interested and qualified suppliers to promote our Transit to Nature partnership with King County Metro.

This partnership covers 2 programs that help close the gap to outdoor access with public transit - Trailhead Direct and Community Van.

Visit the King County E-Procurement Portal to learn more at https://fa-epvh-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/fscmUI/faces/NegotiationAbstracts?prcBuId=300000001727151

Questions? Contact Mohammed El-Maadawy at [email protected], 206-477-8836.

Make the most of these summer days!☀️

August is filled with fun events happening across King County Parks. Check out the full lineup on our website at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/parks-recreation/king-county-parks/get-involved/parks-events

Image description:
Text-based graphic showing a calendar of the events happening in the month of August. Events are listed as follows:

King County Events:
CHOMP! | 8/15

Volunteer Events:
Skyway Park | 8/22

Marymoor Concerts:
ZZ Top with Special Guest Cheap Trick | 8/11
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue And St. Paul & The Broken Bones | 8/19
NEEDTOBREATHE: The Long Surrender Tour | 8/21
Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas | 8/22

Partner Events:
Carnation Farmers Market | 8/11, 8/18, 8/25
Music in the Park | 8/13, 8/20, 8/27
Eastside Audubon - How Insects Help Birds Thrive | 8/15
Fairwood 60th Anniversary Celebration | 8/29

Movies at Marymoor:
Top Gun: Maverick 8/12
The Incredibles 8/18
The Princess Bride 8/26

Archaeology in the Park is canceled today, August 6, due to poor air quality. Thank you for understanding!

Only 4 more weekends to catch the bus Trailhead Direct bus to hiking trails in the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si!

It's been a joy seeing so many people taking public transportation to the trails these past few months and we're excited to finish out the summer strong. Plan your next hiking adventure on our website at https://trailheaddirect.org/

This project seeks to ease vehicle congestion, reduce safety hazards and expand access to hiking destinations along I-90. Trailhead Direct is provided by King County Metro, in partnership with King County Parks and Seattle Department of Transportation and sponsored by Amazon.

Did you know that much of Tolt-MacDonald Park was built to celebrate America's Bicentennial or 200th Anniversary??

The project started with John MacDonald, a Seattle banker and Boy Scout troop leader. His idea? Scouts would develop trails, picnic areas, and campsites on the west bank of Tolt River Park, and the U.S. military reserves would build a 500-foot pedestrian bridge across the river.

With $150,000 from King County in 1976, hundreds of volunteers from local Boy Scout troops gathered over six weekends to build five shelters, two large service centers, forty hike-in campsites, and assembled ten picnic tables.

The beloved suspension bridge was built in-part as a training exercise by Army Reserve’s 409th Engineering Company based out of Everett with assistance from the Marine Corps Reserve and a Canadian Field Engineering Squadron from Vancouver.

John MacDonald passed away from a heart attack before the project was completed and so the community dedicated the park to him. On June 26, 1976, hundreds gathered to celebrate Tolt River-John MacDonald Park with parades, speeches, and a time capsule to be opened in 100 years.

With routine maintenance over the last 50 years, this pedestrian bridge continues to connect the two sides of the park and will for many years into the future. Have you been to Tolt-MacDonald Park? What are your favorite memories there from the last 50 years? Let us know in the comments!

Curious about the history of your favorite park? How long have people been using the land & in what ways? Have a question only an archaeologist could answer?

Join our archaeologist Brandy at an Archaeology in the Park event to hear stories about our region’s past and get a chance to see, touch, and learn about local artifacts found across the region.

No need to sign up — just drop by & follow the signs!

Upcoming events:
July 19 - Marymoor Park from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
July 16 & August 6 - Cougar Mountain from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
July 23 - West Hill Community Center from 12:30 - 2 p.m.
July 30 - Cottage Lake Park from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

With so many people enjoying King County’s parks and trails during the summer, it’s more important than ever that we all do our part to keep these spaces safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.

Two of the biggest ways you can help? Slow your roll and leash up your pup! Cyclists should remember that there is a speed limit of 15 mph on all King County regional trails.

Learn all about the ways you can make the parks more safe, welcoming, and fun on our blog.

Enjoy King County Parks: Tips for Safe Summer Adventures Discover how to enjoy King County’s parks responsibly this summer! Learn key tips for safe biking and dog walking on the trails.