Unincorporated Area Community News
Welcome to Community News, King County government's monthly newsletter for unincorporated area residents. You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at www.kingcounty.gov/UnincorporatedAreaNews. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.
Engage with King County
Unincorporated Community Service Area (CSA) open houses engage local residents
Residents of Fairwood, Vashon/Maury Island, Snoqualmie Valley, North Highline and West Hill met with King County representative at their respective CSA open houses. Their County Councilmember as well as representatives of King County Departments responded to questions including roads projects status, Sheriff support levels and future transit services in their community. Summaries of the meetings will be posted on the CSA website.
Additional CSA open houses coming to your communities
The CSA program is pleased to announce the following meetings in unincorporated King County: Bear Creek/Sammamish CSA on May 14 at the Woodinville Water District in Woodinville; Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River CSA on May 21 at the Hobart Community Church in Maple Valley; Auburn/Federal Way community on June 6 at Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn; and Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain CSA on June 13 (revised date, previously scheduled for June 5) at Castle Ice at Briarwood in Renton. Each meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with an opportunity for individual to meet with representatives from County departments, followed by a broader question and answer period. For additional details, please visit the website.
Grant Opportunities still open for Unincorporated King County projects!
The application period is still open for a new round of grant opportunities to encourage residents of Community Service Areas to become more connected in their neighborhoods. A total of $60,000 is available through the King County Community Service Area Program for projects, with grants of less than $5,000. Applicants are encouraged to contribute a match in the form of cash or in-kind services and include resources from project partners and contributors. Applications are due by May 31. For more information, please visit the CSA grant website.
Mitchell Hill and Preston Ridge Forest Corridor public meeting
King County Parks will soon begin developing trail and forest stewardship plans for some of the public lands between Issaquah and Preston – and public participation is an essential component of that work. Join us at the Preston Community Center for a public meeting on May 7 where King County Parks staff will present updated information about the planning work for Grand Ridge Park and Mitchell Hill/Preston Ridge forests and trails. The meeting is set from 7-8 p.m. at the community center, 8625 310th Ave S.E., Preston, and will serve to kick off the site management plan for Mitchell Hill Forest. For more information contact Connie Blumen at connie.blumen@kingcounty.gov. or 206.263.6371; or visit the website.
Two parks projects in development seek public comments
Ravensdale Park will add two multi-purpose synthetic turf fields (baseball fields with soccer in outfields) to an existing graded regional park site per the community-adopted master plan. Comments are accepted through May 13.
With the Lake to Sound Trail project, development of a 1.5 mile segment of the 16-mile trail is proposed by King County Parks, the cities of SeaTac and Burien, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Comments are accepted through May 24.
For more information on both projects, visit the project website.
King County hosts meeting to discuss flood risk from beaver dam on McLeod Lake
King County staff will discuss flood risks posed by a beaver dam to neighbors along North Fork Road Southeast and 440th Avenue Southeast at a meeting May 23, 6:30-8 p.m. at the North Bend Library. The County will provide information on what to do in case of flooding if the dam breaches.
Applications for Lower Duwamish Green Grants accepted through June 7
King County is offering grant funding to support the cleanup and protection of the Lower Duwamish Waterway and nearby neighborhoods for a third straight year. Community groups, schools, tribes and local governments are invited to apply for grants to fund environmental projects that align with King County’s goals to control combined sewer overflows , improve air quality, curb new and ongoing sources of pollution in the Duwamish, and make improvements to water quality. For details, please visit the website.
Women’s Advisory Board
The King County Women’s Program Advisory Board is hosting an informational forum to gather information on the ways women and families living in unincorporated King County obtain the services they need. Join King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger, Assistant Deputy County Executive Rhonda Berry and residents of the unincorporated areas on June 12, from 5:30-7 p.m. at King County’s Chinook Building, 401 5th Avenue in Seattle. More information and the agenda will be available soon on the website.
News
King County urges caution on rivers that are high, swift, cold from mountain snowmelt
Warmer weather is expected for the first weekend in May, and King County officials are urging recreational river and lake users to be extremely careful when heading out on the water. Flows on rivers fed by mountain snowpack could increase throughout the week as snowmelt accelerates. River temperatures can still be in the 40-degree range – and lakes aren’t that much warmer.
For more information on river safety and drowning prevention, visit the King County river safety web page.
New Hours for Community Service Centers
Hours of operation at many of the King County Community Service Centers changed as of April 29. Check the website for the new schedule, or call the location you plan to visit for details.
King County honors 12 environmental leaders with Green Globe Awards
On Earth Day, April 22, King County honored a dozen of the leading businesses, organizations and individuals for their commitment to protecting the natural environment, teaching environmental stewardship in their community, or advocating for preservation and conservation. The Green Globe Awards are the County’s highest environmental honor for businesses, organizations and individuals who have participated in one or more programs with the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. For more information about the awards and this year’s winners, please visit the website.
Concerts at Marymoor
A summertime full of live music awaits at one of the region’s best outdoor music venues, as King County’s Marymoor Park prepares to host the tenth-annual summer concert series. For the full line-up and ticket information, visit the website.
King County Parks – Big Backyard 5K
Presented by Group Health, the fourth annual Big Backyard 5k is scheduled for June 2 at King County’s Marymoor Park. This fun, flat course is great for the whole family. Find out more on the website.
First Tech Movies at Marymoor, presented by Overlake Medical Clinics
The summer lineup for Movies at Marymoor Park has just been announced! Stretch out on the lawn on a warm summer night, pass around the kettle corn amongst your friends and bring the dog, too! Pre-movie seating is $5 starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday night movies show at dusk. More information about movies, entertainment and food trucks can be found on the website.
Free fair housing workshop and seminar
The King County Office of Civil Rights and other civil rights agencies are hosting two free fair housing trainings at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle on Wednesday, May 29. The Introduction to Fair Housing Workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar is from 1- 3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials in print and CD format Advance registration is required – call 206-263-2446 or email Civil-Rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov. For details and directions, visit the website.
Protect your business and the environment - get up to $500 reimbursed
The Voucher Incentive Program supports businesses investing in managing hazardous materials. Fifty percent reimbursement up to $500 covers activities from spill prevention, safer alternatives, protective equipment, testing, storage, disposal and more. For details visit the website, or call the Business Waste Line 206-263-8899.
Restaurant Reporting
Did you know you can easily check up on how well your favorite restaurant is scoring for food safety? Inspection records for all 11,000 restaurants in King County are searchable online at Public Health’s Food Protection Program. Click the Restaurant Reporting System to get started.
Don't let pets get bugged by fleas and ticks
After a long, dreary winter, pets and their owners like to get out and play in the springtime sun. However, pests like fleas and ticks also like the warmer weather. Be sure to apply a flea and tick preventative recommended by your veterinarian. Also, make it a habit to check your pet for fleas and ticks regularly, especially if they've been outside. For more pet tips, visit the website.
Considered running for office?
Citizens who want to run for an elected office in King County may file online from May 13 at 9 a.m. until May 17 at 4 p.m. Check out the online guide of candidate resources for more information about filing for office.
Community news
Enumclaw
Senior Exemption Program Presentation, Enumclaw Senior Center
The King County Department of Assessments will be providing a free workshop on the senior property tax exemption program on May 8 at noon at the Enumclaw Senior Center, 1350 Cole St. in Enumclaw. For more information, visit the tax relief page on the Assessor’s website or contact us at 206-263-2261.
Four Creeks
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting
May 15, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton
Greater Maple Valley
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council
(This item submitted by the GMVUAC)
The GMVUAC conducted its Bi-Annual Member Election and Citizens’ Survey with help from a CSA Grant. A combined election survey was sent by mail to all unincorporated area registered voters in the Tahoma School District, a total of approximately 11,000 residents. The response was excellent with over 1,600 returned (about 14 percent). Final results of both our member election and citizens’ survey are now being compiled and will be published in local newspapers, posted to our website, and sent to King County officials.
Grand opening of the Cedar Downs-Cedar Creek Park Loop Trail
Community members have been working with King County Parks, Middle Green River Coalition, R.E.I., Washington Trails Association and others to create a loop trail through the beautiful forested Cedar Creek Park located between Covington and Maple Valley. The project was funded in part by King County Parks Community Partnerships and Grants program. The grand opening is set for May 11 from noon to 4 p.m.
For more information, please visit the website.
Greater Maple Valley Area Council meeting
May 6 & June 3, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley
North Highline
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
Upper Bear Creek
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
Vashon-Maury Island
Community Service Center one day closure
The Vashon Community Service Center will be closed on Tuesday, May 14. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, May 21. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please visit the website for a list of locations and hours of operation.
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council General meeting
May 20, 7 p.m., McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Board Meeting
May 6, 6:30 p.m., McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
West Hill
West Hill Community Association Board meetings
May 8, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S., Seattle
If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Alan Painter at 206-296-8734 or alan.painter@kingcounty.gov.
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