Showing posts with label tourism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tourism. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Evans Creek Preserve - A City of Sammamish gem


THE EVANS CREEK PRESERVE

"This is a great place to take your family, yourself, or a friend for a short hike in beautiful open space only 3 miles east of downtown Redmond."  B. Yoder


By Susan Wilkins
Redmond, WA. 

The Evans Creek Preserve, a new park and nature preserve east of Redmond was opened to the public in late 2011 after nearly a decade of planning and a year of intensive trail construction. The preserve is mostly gentle rolling hills with open meadows and forested uplands. It is located in the bottomland of the Evans Creek Basin, a few miles east of Redmond, in the deep southeast trending valley that connects Redmond and Fall City. Evans Creek runs through the north edge of the preserve in an undersized, meandering channel that routinely floods creating swamps and wetland ponds that cover much of the site during the winter. 

We visited in early July and the wetlands were mostly grassy and dry. Evans Creek was running so slowly that we weren’t sure where it was and had to check the map. In the fall, Evans Creek will have native runs of chinook as well as runs of coho and sockeye salmon that will pass through the preserve and spawn upstream.


Owned and developed by the City of Sammamish, the Evans Creek Preserve is located about 3 miles east of downtown Redmond on Redmond-Fall City Road. The 180-acre property was once the farmstead of Newton and Kathryn Galley who passed away in the mid-1990s and willed their property to the University of Washington, Whitman College, Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Home Society, the Masonic Home and Redmond United Methodist Church. These 6 organizations collectively agreed to sell the property to the City of Sammamish in November 2000. The park/preserve was in the planning stage until 2011 when major development of the park and its trail system was undertaken. Old farm buildings were torn down and a new iron-works footbridge over Evans Creek was constructed. Washington Trails Association (wta.org) designated Evans Creek Preserve as one of its major lowland projects for 2011. Volunteer trail-building days were organized by WTA and 250 volunteers spent more than 7000 hours clearing brush, removing stumps, laying gravel trails and building boardwalks and bridges to create nearly 2 miles of trail loops.

To get there: The Evans Creek Preserve is located on the south side of Redmond-Fall City Road (SR202) about a mile east of the SR202/Sahalee Way intersection. Heading east on SR202, look for the sign on the right side of the road that says NE 34th Street – Private Road, turn right and go a short distance down the road. There is a 10-car parking lot with signs and maps.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Council and "Lodging Tax Advisory Committee" plan for more visitors to "Experience Redmond", 6/2011

 
Since this opinion was published on 6/30/2011 Realize Redmond, and Redmond Economic Development Assoc have been disolved and consolidated into "ONE REDMOND."   The Chamber has "tentatively consolidated" into ONE REDMOND.  ONE REDMOND is barely in the radar, led by Group Health, Microsoft and other stakeholders.  Please read the comments below this post for "the rest of the story."  And please, post your own..  BY

REPUBLISHED OPINION (6/30/2011):  History was made in three different ways (1) in this week's Council meeting. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) met with city council members and the mayor for the first time in their 13 years of operation.  If  Dan Angellar, General Manager of the Redmond Marriott of Redmond Town Center has his way LTAC will be meeting and partnering with Council every year.

A community role for LTAC might be described as a "tourism alliance". Agnellar said they try to bring Redmond's three economic groups together to stimulate tourism and increase "heads and beds".  Over $337,300 was raised last year from from the 1% lodge tax. So far 50% of LTAC tax revenues go to "Bullseye Creative" - a website branding organization.  (A Blog was created and tags with RNB on search engines.)  $31,365 goes to promoting private and city sponsored events. Councilmember John Stilin suggested allocating more funds towards the events to attract more people and perhaps less emphasis on the website.  Read More >>

Friday, August 10, 2012

Redmond's magnificent Cottonwood "snag"


This is a magnificent 6-foot in diameter Cottonwood snag on Harry and Elizabeth's Redmond farm off of Avondale Court.  The tree was left to die naturally in a marshy meadow and now provides rich habitat for birds and wildlife. 

The city and some residents top unwanted trees to "manufacture" snags, but they don't look or function entirely like a true snag. 

By Bob Yoder
Photo By Yoder

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Wild and Natural Preservation Areas near Redmond, WA. By Susan Wilkins

Redmond Preservation Map
The Long-term plan for the Bear Creek and Evans Creek Basins east of Redmond

By Susan Wilkins
Redmond, WA.

We in Redmond are fortunate to live near some of the wildest natural areas in King County. On the east edge of Redmond, running north-south along Avondale and Mink Road is the Bear Creek Valley. And the deep valley traversed by Redmond-Fall City Road (SR202) contains the Evans Creek Basin. Both of these valleys are heavily forested and surprisingly undeveloped. They both contain significant native salmon runs with wetlands surrounding the network of meandering streams, especially compared to the incorporated, urban areas of nearby Redmond and Sammamish.

The decision to preserve the Bear and Evans Creek drainage basin areas was made more than 20 years ago. According to Paul Reitenbach, Senior Policy Analyst for the King County Department of Development and Environmental Service, in the early 1990s as part of long-term urban growth planning mandated by the Growth Management Act, the county decided to designate the Bear-Evans Creek Corridor and the Soos Creek Basin (in Kent) as permanently preserved natural areas. The King County Comprehensive Plan was written to include tight restrictions on residential and commercial developments in these basins and the county began programs that promoted habitat restoration and reforestation. Land along Bear Creek has been purchased by King County for permanent preservation using Conservation Futures Tax money provided by open space levies. Many landowners along and near Bear Creek have entered into long-term habitat preservation agreements with the county in exchange for reduced annual property tax bills.  

In the Evans Creek Basin, the City of Sammamish owns the Evans Creek Preserve, a 180-acre city park with nature trails, wetlands and meadows. King County has 30 acres under permanent protection in the Evans Creek Natural Area and also own most of the land with steep slopes along Sahalee Way.  Read More >>

Saturday, July 7, 2012

And then there were three...'Old Redmond Historic Guided Tours'

Historic Guided Tours usually begin at the "Justice White House" - once a hotel and later
the Club House for Redmond's nine-hole golf course (now Redmond Town Center)   
Three 'Old Redmond Historic Guided Walking Tours' remain:
The Old Redmond Cementary, 7/15
Olde Towne, 9/10
A Haunted History Tour, 9/30
Have you ever taken one of  the guided walking tours of Redmond's historic downtown core?   It is guaranteed to provide facts, figures, and fun, with local historian Tom Hitzroth emcee'ing the stories, gossip, and names.  Did you know in whose building an alleged bordello operated?  Hint:  He would later become Redmond’s longest serving mayor!  Three tours remain.

Walking Tours run from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., usually beginning on the front steps of the Justice White House, 7730 Leary Way NE.,  at the west end of Redmond Town Center where the Saturday Market is held.

Don't miss Tom's tour of the Old Redmond Cemetery on July 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will begin at the flag pole located inside the Cemetery at 7000 180 Avenue NE. The tour begins at the flag pole, located inside the Cemetery at 7000 180th Ave NE.   Parking is available in the Home Depot parking lot immediately north of the Cemetery.  Details here.  Tours are cancelled with rain.

Tom is conducting his last Olde Towne tour on September 9 and a haunted history tour on September 30.  Registration is required by the Thursday before the tour.  A fee of $8 per person will help fund Society research.   Contact the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) office  at 425-885-2919,  or  email  at info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org, or go online  at www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

Released By Doris A. Schaible, a past Redmond City Clerk of 30 years
Community Relations, RHS
Photo By RHS
Android Walking Tour Ap for $2.75
City Walking maps of Olde Towne Loop, Rookery Loop, and Bridle Trails Loop

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Fireworks Prohibited in Redmond - Where do you go for fun?

The Derby Day Fireworks last year were amazing and the best I'd seen that year - including Lake Chelan's fabulous July 7 display.  "Expect the very best in Redmond on Saturday July 14 this Redmond Centinnial Celebration year!"

Fireworks Prohibited in Redmond

Redmond, WA — The Redmond Fire Department reminds residents that the sale, personal possession and use of all fireworks within the city limits of Redmond are prohibited by City ordinance. Persons found in violation of this ordinance can be punished by a fine up to $5,000, or by jail time up to one year, or both.

Residents who wish to enjoy fireworks for the Fourth of July should seek out any of the professional displays offered in the greater Seattle area. These include:

Bellevue Family Fourth – www.bellevuedowntown.org/events

Fourth of July Fireworks, Kenmore – http://www.cityofkenmore.com/

Celebrate Kirkland, Kirkland – http://www.celebratekirkland.org/

Old Fashioned 4th of July, Newcastle – http://www.ci.newcastle.wa.us/

Fabulous Fourth of July, Renton – http://www.ci.renton.wa.us/

Fourth on the Plateau, Sammamish – http://www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/  For those who wish to see fireworks in Redmond, Derby Days offers its annual display on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 10pm at Redmond City Hall campus, 15670 NE 85th Street

Monday, June 25, 2012

Still time to see four Great Blue Heron "chicks" - if you hurry!

These four Great Blue Heron juviniles are almost "fledged" -  still time to see them if you hurry!

According to temporary park signage it's been at least 20 years since herons have built their nests at Marymoor Park. The heronry (or heron rookery, if you prefer) is located adjacent to the off-leash dog area. It's enclosed by an orange plastic hazard fence, to keep dogs and humans out from the area underneath the nests.

A man there on Saturday showed me a photo he had taken a few days ago of a young heron that was on the ground just inside the enclosure. It evidently landed there after having fallen out of its nest. I subsequently spotted two young herons up in a cottonwood tree south of the area, so some have already successfully left the nest.

The herons started building their nests in late March or early April. I counted a total of eleven nests in 5 or 6 cottonwood trees, by the end of April. Initially, it was very easy to see the nests and watch the herons build them, because the leaves were just starting to grow and were not yet large enough to block the view. The nests are large and sometimes appeared precariously placed, but they have managed to stay together and none have fallen down.

Parents feed their young by regurgitation. When a parent arrives back at the nest it's greeted by loud croaking and cackling noises made by the youngsters as they compete for food. According to signs posted at the site, all of the young herons will be fully fledged (able to fend for themselves) by the end of July, so there's still time for folks to go out there and have a look.
 
The City of Redmond designates the Great Blue Heron as their "Species of Local Importance."
 
Story and Photos By John Reinke, 6/25/2012
Directions to Marymoor Park:  http://binged.it/Me0lUZ

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Sammamish River Trail ranks #1 in Sunset's best bike paths in the West


 20 best bike paths in the West "Sunset," June 2012
"Get to know these Western routes the way the locals do ― on two wheels"

The Sammamish River Trail, 9- miles north of Redmond in Bothell
 [A double-bonus:  Sammamish River Trail runs north towards Sunset's 19th ranked Burke-Gilman Trail  which continues northwest around Lake Washington from Kenmore and south to Seattle's Gas Works Park  where you can take a refreshing dip before your return to Redmond.  49 mi rt BY.] 

1)  SAMMAMISH RIVER TRAIL, REDMOND, WA (11 miles)

The Sammamish connects to the northeastern terminus of Seatttle's popular Burke-Gilman trail (make a left at the fork after crossing 96th NE). The scenic 11-mile Sammamish, continues past the wineries in Woodinville to Redmond and the popular Redhook Brewery. Info: www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/trails/regionaltrailssystem/sammamishriver.aspx
Read More >>

2)  SPRINGWATER CORRIDOR, PORTLAND TO BORING, OR (40 miles)

Portland is synonymous with biking thanks to trails like this one, which runs through the city along the Willamette River and over the famous, double-lift Steel Bridge (a boat, train, cars, runners and cyclists can simultaneously cross above or under it) to the town of Boring. This loop, which may eventually link to the Pacific Crest Trail, ends in Boring, however, it's anything but. Info: www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=679&action=ViewPark  Read more >>

Thanks to reader John Reinke for alerting Redmond Blog (RNB) to this article. 
Internet photo

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Redmond Ranked #1 by Forbes for "Cities with the Happiest Young Professionals"

DanitaDelimon.com, News.com SAMMAMISH RIVER TRAIL

"The Cities with the Happiest Young Professionals"
By Jacquelyn Smith
Forbes, September 9, 2011

"Heading the list of the cities with the happiest young professionals, Redmond earned an overall score of 3.835. Workers there expressed the most optimism in the Benefits category, which scored 4.260."

Its list [CareerBliss] of the 20 happiest cities for young professionals is based on analysis from thousands of employee generated reviews between 2010 and 2011. Young professionals, defined by CareerBliss as employees with less than 10 years’ experience in a full-time position, were asked to rate eight factors that affect workplace happiness, including growth opportunities, compensation, benefits, work-life balance, career advancement, senior management, job security and whether they would recommend their employer others.

“In our research, CareerBliss found that young professionals take career happiness very seriously,” says the company’s chief executive, Heidi Golledge. “Typically, they will continue to keep their résumé active on job boards just in case something more fulfilling comes along, and they are typically two to three times more likely than their parents to jump jobs for more career happiness. In short, they take the right to pursuit happiness to heart and will typically not stay at a job with poor conditions for very long, and they will even relocate to get out of an unhappy work environment.”

If you’re looking to move to a happier place, you might consider Redmond, Wash.  Read More >>

Friday, July 15, 2011

Kirkland Chamber of Commerce celebrates new visitor center

The local business community and City of Kirkland officials celebrate the grand opening of the new downtown Visitor Information Center during a ceremony on Wednesday.

Contributed by Bob Gassen/Humanature Photography
 Kirkland Chamber of Commerce celebrates new visitor center - Kirkland Reporter: "Jul 14 2011, 5:51 PM

The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA) members celebrated the grand opening of the organization's new offices and Visitor Information Center during a ceremony on Wednesday.  Read More >>

Monday, September 8, 2008

Nine additional soccer fields are proposed for 60 Acres Park! -- SPEAK UP on September 15

Citizen: when you decide how you would "vote" on the LWYSA proposed 9 soccer field & parking complex think "why'? Why do we need 9 more soccer fields when the game is already saturated with 29% of all LWSD youth? (My daughter is one). LWSD enrollment is flat. Fewer youth now have more sports to play! Boys and girls lacrosse, cricket, skateboarding, BMX and mountain biking; and passive sports like Disc golf, gliding planes, model rockets, dog trials. And these are just some of the outdoor games. Kids play digital games, chess, the arts....

King County Executive Tim Hill said it well, in August 23, 1988:

"We do not believe it is King County's role as a public service provider to dedicate park land for the development of "premier" level facilities for one group while another interests of unserved, or served at disproportionately low levels. As its population grows, King County is coming under increasing pressure from taxpayers who have become more vocal in demanding an equitable share of facilities to accommodate their varied activities...These valuable resources must be shared by all County residents."
The City of Redmond will be holding "Neighborhood Meeting" on the "Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association" (LWYSA) proposal to develop 9 soccer fields on Sixty Acres South. Click HERE to see the site plan for the parking and 9 soccer fields.

This meeting will serve as an opportunity for interested parties and nearby property owners to review, comment, and ask questions of LWYSA soccer association regarding their aggressive proposal to build 9 premium grass soccer fields with parking on a county park.

This neighborhood meeting will be held prior to the City taking final action on this project.
Meeting Date: September 15, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, Redmond City Hall, (a short walk west of the library).

Make yourself heard as a "Party of Record" so you are allowed to participate in any appeal process. Contact city planner Kelsey Larson (425-556-2409) to make yourself a Party of Record. Her email is klarson@redmond.gov. Or, sign in at the meeting to be a Party.

CC: Kelsey Larson, C.O.R.