Wet weather helps push back tentative opening for part of East Lake Sammamish Interim Use Trail

2005 Archived News

Completion of King County’s East Lake Sammamish Interim Use Trail through the City of Sammamish will be delayed by several weeks because recent rainfall has left the ground too soft for heavy construction equipment to access the area.

The Interim Trail, which had tentatively been scheduled to open in December, now has a tentative opening date of Jan. 30.

Dump trucks have been unable to access more than 1,000 feet of the trail because of soft ground. The trucks are delivering crushed rock that comprises the Interim Trail’s surface. Fencing and guardrails must also be installed along the trail before the link is ready for public use.

The Interim Trail is comprised of a crushed rock surface varying in width from eight to ten feet. It will accommodate walking, jogging and biking, but is not compatible with road bikes or roller blades. The final paved trail will be constructed when the King County Council adopts a master plan and all relevant permits obtained. The master plan is expected to be submitted to council in 2006.

The Interim Trail is constructed in Issaquah from Gilman Boulevard to 212th Avenue SE, and from 187th Avenue NE to NE 70th Street in Redmond. Access to the open segments of the Interim Trail in Issaquah are at Gilman Boulevard, SE 62nd Street, SE 56th Street, SE 51st Street, at the foot of SE 43rd, at 206th SE, and at the State Park. Parking is available at the King County District Court and at Sammamish State Park main parking lot.

King County manages 25,389 acres of parks, pools, open space, natural land and trails. This includes 68 baseball fields, 61 soccer fields, seven pools, 88 picnic areas, 34 playgrounds, 27 tennis courts, 13 boat launch sites, more than 100 miles of trails, six fishing piers, four community gardens, a climbing rock, the area's best off-leash dog park and pet memorial garden, and the world-class King County Aquatic Center.