Local affiliate club Washington Recreational River Runners, King County, and AW will be coordinating a volunteer event as part of the Mountains to Sound Greenway’s annual Day in the Greenway, a day of volunteer activities along the I-90 corridor. The specific project of interest to whitewater paddlers will be at the property recently purchased by King County as public open space just outside North Bend near the current access at Tanner Road. We will be doing stewardship work to remove invasive Scot’s Broom but this will also be an opportunity to check out the site and provide input regarding river access. King County has committed to initiate both restoration of the property and development of community river access. A good showing from the paddling community will demonstrate our interest in this project.
Logistics
The work party will begin at 9 am and last to 12:30 pm this Saturday (5/21). So you’ll still have time to hop on the river or attend a free BBQ picnic for all volunteers who will be working throughout the Greenway.
To reach the site, take exit 32 off I-90 and go north on 436th Ave. SE for 0.6 miles. At the T junction turn left onto North Bend Way and go 0.3 miles to Mt. Si Rd. Turn right on Mt. Si Rd and stop where the Snoqualmie Valley Trail crosses the road before you reach the bridge across the river (see map). Parking will be available along the trail.
Afternoon Picnic BBQ Directions
Lake Sammamish State Park The project leader will dismiss your event in time to arrive at Lake Sammamish by 1 pm. From I-90, take Exit 15. Follow signs for Lake Sammamish State Park, and go north on 17th Ave NW. Turn left onto NW Sammamish Rd. The entrance to Lake Sammamish State Park will be on your right. Enter the park and continue strait to the group picnic area. It is the first picnic shelter on the right – look for a Greenway banner.
Parking Passes: Normally, State Parks have a $5 parking fee. However, on Day in the Greenway, if you have a parking pass, the fee is waived. You need to ask your project leader for a parking pass. PLEASE carpool as parking space is limited.
What to Bring/Wear
Participants should be ready to hike a short distance, work hard, get dirty, and have fun! Pay special attention to the packing list below; even though it is sunny where you live, it can be rainy and cold at the project. Volunteers must provide their own transportation to the site.
- Long pants: This is for safety because we are working with tools and sometimes in the brush. No shorts, please.
- Layers: It’s best to dress in layers, since they provide you with more options to keep you comfortable. Since it may rain, non-cotton shirts are best since they keep you warmer when wet.
- Sturdy shoes: Preferably hiking boots with ankle support. NO sandals or thin, canvas shoes
- Gloves: If you have gloves, great. Otherwise we’ll have plenty of extras.
- Rain gear: Something you can get dirty, and that is waterproof, not just water resistant. You never know around here!
- Snacks: The BBQ starts at 1 pm, so you should bring snacks (since you’ll be working hard!) for a mid-morning break.
- Full water bottle: We’ll provide all the tools and project materials, some extra gloves and rain gear, and a small amount of snacks and drinks.