Here’s to us!!
Looking back on a year full of interesting projects, great partnerships and hard working volunteers, I can’t help but take a moment and give a pat on the back to everyone who helped make 2010 one for the record books! Thank you to all the partners, volunteers, agencies and dedicated behind-the-scenes individuals who helped make 2010 a banner year of accomplishments.
Take a look at some of the major accomplishments that happened in 2010:
The Bessemer Mountain Road Project: This project involved removing 15 miles of roads on the west side of the Middle Fork Valley, including a road-to-trail project that will connect the Mt Si road into the Middle Fork for recreation. Partners involved were the US Forest Service and WA State DNR.
Big Creek and Noble Creek Acquisitions: 240 acres at Noble Creek and 80 acres at Big Creek, east of Snoqualmie Pass. Partners include Salmon Recovery Funding Board, US and State Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Carnation Trail to Tolt-MacDonald Park: A new 1100 foot community trail was completed this year. People can safely walk or bike on the trail between downtown Carnation and Tolt-MacDonald Park. This project was made possible by the City of Carnation and King County.
Chief Sealth Trail Extension: a safe, connected and attractive multi-use trail built to encourage walking and biking in the Southeast section of Seattle. It provides connections to the future Mountains to Sound Greenway trail extension on Beacon Hill and Sound Transit light rail stations. The new trail, built by the City of Seattle, is built almost entirely from recycled materials.
Duthie Hill Park: Thanks to a partnership between King County Parks and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Duthie Hill Park was constructed to be one of the premiere mountain biking parks in the country. Duthie Hill offers over five miles of trails for all ages and abilities.
Fall City Riverfront Park Restoration: The Fall City Park Habitat Restoration Project has been designed and implemented by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and their many partners, including King County and the Fall City Park District, to improve the Snoqualmie River for wildlife, including Chinook Salmon, Steelhead and Bull Trout.
High Point to Preston Regional Trail Connection: The Washington State DOT has built a regional trail connection from High Point to Preston. Funding to fill this trail gap on the north side of I-90 between I-90 exits 20 and 22 came from the state legislature at the Mountains to Sound Greenway’s request. This fills a major gap in the regional trail system along I-90 between Issaquah and the Snoqualmie Valley.
Lake Union Park: A new 12-acre park with walking paths, lake shore access, maritime history and boat pond was made possible by the City of Seattle and the Seattle Parks Foundation.
Mt. Si Ridge Acquisition: Ten acres were acquired along the ridgetop of Mt. Si by Washington State Department of Natural Resources with Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program funding.
Nature’s Last Stand Farm: Located in Carnation along the Snoqualmie River, this farm is a King County Transfer of Development Rights project. King County acquired the conservation easement, lowering the purchase price so the family could buy the land and continue to bring local produce to farmers markets. King County Executive Dow Constantine pledges to preserve 850 more acres of farmland using development rights transfers.
Raging River Forest Acquisition: This is a 20 acre acquisition in the Raging River State Forest. Last year we celebrated a 7,000-acre acquisition in the Raging. Now the State Department of Natural Resources is filling in the holes.
Reinig Farm – Snoqualmie Valley Conservation Easement: The 100-acre historic Reinig family farm is now preserved by a conservation easement held by King County.
Roslyn’s Historic Cemeteries: Roslyn resident and historian Richard Watts won the 2010 Humanities Washington Award for preservation of Roslyn’s historic cemeteries.
Squak Valley Park North: Major ecological restoration is underway, including removal of invasive plants, removing an old levee, constructing a smaller berm to allow Issaquah Creek to resume a more natural, meandering flow, and adding large woody debris to improve salmon habitat. Funded by the King Conservation District, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, this project will truly improve water quality in this salmon-bearing creek.
This is only a partial list! It’s been a tremendous year of triumphs at the Greenway. We are really looking forward to 2011 though- it’s an even bigger year. It marks the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. We are going to be celebrating all year long with events, activities, more so stay tuned!
