Welcome to Community News! You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at the UA News website. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.
Engage with King County
Dockton Forest Mountain Bike Trail Open House
Join King County Parks at the Dockton Forest Mountain Bike Trail Open House on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at McMurray Middle School’s multipurpose room. Attendees can suggest names for the existing multi-use trails, help design the new trail etiquette signs, and sign up to help build trails. More information about Dockton Forest and this proposed project can be found on the website.
News
King County's Bridges and Roads Task Force
The task force, convened by Executive Constantine and Councilmember Lambert, says unincorporated area residents can’t be asked to fund maintenance and repair of County roads alone, and calls for a regional or statewide solution to address a funding gap of $250 million to $400 million a year. To learn more, read the news release.
Nurturing the region’s thriving wine industry while preserving Sammamish Valley’s rural character
King County will conduct a comprehensive study on ways to nurture the Sammamish Valley’s growing wine industry while strengthening the relationship with surrounding communities. Researchers will examine a wide range of issues – including economic development, transportation, parking, land use and agriculture – for a study that is scheduled to be complete by early this summer. For more information, read the news release.
Elections
Be prepared to vote in all the elections this year – including the presidential primary! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so online at King County Elections, in person at the Elections office in Renton, or at the voter registration annex in downtown Seattle.
Those who care, prepare!
February is the middle of winter storm season, so be sure you and your loved ones are prepared at home, work, school and during your commute. Download a list of emergency supplies from the Take Winter by Storm website.
Become a Master Recycler Composter (MRC) volunteer!
Learn about preventing food waste and curbside composting, then share your knowledge with others. Applications are due March 18. Visit the MRC website for more information.
Be a part of King County Parks!
King County Parks' mission is to steward, enhance and acquire parks, trails and natural areas to inspire healthy communities. New job opportunities with Parks are available on the King County Jobs website.
Zika virus
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel warning for pregnant women or women who are planning to become pregnant and who are traveling internationally to countries affected by the Zika virus, which is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Learn more at the Public Health Insider.
Dog flu
Public Health is warning dog owners to watch for symptoms of influenza in their dogs. If your dog is coughing, sneezing, has a runny nose or is lethargic, keep it away from kennels and dog daycares, and call your veterinarian for advice. Learn more at the Public Health Insider.
Community Service Area news
Bear Creek/Sammamish Area
CSA Days
Feb. 9, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Rd. NE in Woodinville. Marissa Alegria, CSA program representative, will be available to meet with the community. Please contact Marissa Alegria, for more information.
King County Parks Play Area Rehabilitation Program update: Cottage Lake Park
King County Parks’ levy-funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program is underway, with new playground equipment and rubber safety surfacing coming to playgrounds in various County parks. At Cottage Lake Park playground, installing the rubber safety surfacing tile requires a week of fairly dry weather with above-freezing temperatures, and this work is tentatively scheduled for the week of Feb. 1, with the playground reopening toward the end of the month.
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
Feb. 23, 7 - 9 p.m. at the Woodinville Water District Offices, 17238 N.E. Woodinville/Duvall Rd. in Woodinville. Upper Bear Creek Community Council will host a community meeting regarding surface/stormwater management. For more information regarding the meeting visit the Upper Bear Creek Facebook page. For more information about the community council, visit the Upper Bear Creek Community Council website.
Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area
Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Jan. 25 & Feb. 22, 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church at 12819 160th Ave. SE, in Renton. For more information, visit the website.
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meetings
Feb. 17, 7 - 9 p.m., at Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78 at 20720 SE May Valley Rd. in Issaquah. Visit the Four Creeks UAC website for the latest information.
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area
King County Parks Play Area Rehabilitation Program update: Ravensdale Park
King County Parks’ levy-funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program is underway, with new playground equipment and rubber safety surfacing coming to playgrounds in various County parks. The improvements to Ravensdale Park playground are scheduled get underway in April, with completion in June.
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings
Feb. 1 & March 7, 7 - 9:30 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley. Check the Greater Maple Valley UAC website for details.
These items submitted by the GMVUAC.
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King County Comprehensive Plan update
The area council submitted environment- and economic-related comments on the public review draft in the following areas: The continued access to Taylor Mountain Park; Concerns with allowing siting and approval of urban or largely urban-serving facilities in unincorporated or rural areas as a tradeoff to secure open space; The need for a county economic development organization; and the need to emphasize home-based businesses and recognize start-up businesses. Specific comments are available on the GMVUAC website.
Urban-Growth Boundary support
The Seattle Times recently published an editorial, “Reject change of King County’s urban-growth boundary,” which called for preserving the integrity of the Urban-Growth Boundary. The area council submitted a Letter to the Editor commending the Times for addressing one of most important quality of life issues facing us today and into the future.
Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area
Fall City Community Association meeting
Feb. 12, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Fall City Fire Station, 4301 334th Place Southeast in Fall City. Monthly board meeting, open to the public. For more information visit the Fall City Community Association website or contact Ashley Glennon.
Southeast King County Area
Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
Jan. 27 & Feb. 24, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond. All residents living within the boundaries of our Community Service Area are welcome to attend and participate in discussions regarding safety resources, mutual concerns, and ideas for enhancing our communities. For more information, or to subscribe to our mailing list, email the Green Valley/Lake Holm Association. Visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
West King County Area
Skyway Library opening
The new Skyway Library is officially opening with festivities, and King County Executive Dow Constantine as a guest speaker. The library will hold its ceremonial book passing on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 9:15 a.m. starting at the former Skyway Library, and a ribbon cutting at the new library at 12690 Renton Ave. South, at 9:30 a.m., with the official public opening scheduled for 10 a.m. For more information contact 425-369-3478 or visit King County Library Systems website.
King County Parks Play Area Rehabilitation Program update: Five Mile Lake Park
King County Parks’ levy-funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program is underway, with new playground equipment and rubber safety surfacing coming to playgrounds in various County parks. The Five Mile Lake Park playground is now closed and the updated playground is expected to open in April.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Feb. 4, 7 - 9 p.m. at the North Highline Fire District Training Center, 1243 SW 112th Street in Seattle. This all-volunteer community group hosts a monthly meeting to discuss local issues, including land use, public safety and human services issues. Open to the public. Check the North Highline UAC website for details, or email Barbara Dobkin.
West Hill Community Association meeting
Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m. at the Skyway Fire District 20, 12424 76th Ave. So. in Seattle. This all-volunteer, community group, hosts a monthly meeting to discuss local issues, including land use, public safety and human services issues. Open to the public. Check the West Hill Community Association website or Facebook for details. For more information contact Bill Bowden or Sonja Bowden.
White Center Chamber of Commerce business mixer
Jan. 28, 6 - 8 p.m., Sky’s Barbershop, 9650 16th Ave. SW, in Seattle. The White Center Chamber of Commerce is hosting this business mixer for all business owners and proprietors and the community at-large to enjoy. Open to the public. For more information email Bobby Beeman or call 206-444-0844.
If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Alan Painter or call 206-477-4521.
