There’s still plenty of summertime fun at King County Parks – Your Big Backyard

Pay no attention to your calendar that says Labor Day and the unofficial end of summer are just a few short weeks away. King County Parks still has a great lineup of outdoor events and activities.

Here are some of the highlights from King County Parks, plus a few bonus activities with King County staff:

Marymoor Park
Aug. 10 – 7 p.m. - $39.50-$65 reserved
Concerts at Marymoor – UB40

Reggae-tinged pop stars UB40 have been getting steady airplay for more than two decades. More information is available at www.Concertsatmarymoor.com.

Aug. 11 – 4 p.m. - $37.50-$69.50
Concerts at Marymoor – 103.7 FM - Mountain Music Festival, featuring Los Lonely Boys, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Marc Broussard and the Low Stars

This year's Mountain Music Festival features a diverse lineup of popular bands, including Grammy winners Los Lonely Boys, critically acclaimed Toad the Wet Sprocket, southern rock/soul singer Marc Broussard and acoustic rockers The Low Stars. More information is available at www.Concertsatmarymoor.com.

Aug. 15 – 9 p.m.
FirstTech Movies @ Marymoor Park presents "The Pursuit of Happyness" (PG-13)

Bring a blanket and check out this much-acclaimed film that stars Oscar-nominated Will Smith as a struggling salesman who takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor. Movies are held at McNair Field in Marymoor Park and all donations go directly into supporting parks maintenance.

Aug. 22 8:45 p.m.
FirstTech Movies @ Marymoor Park presents "Monster House" (PG)

Kids discover that the creepy house next door is actually a lot scarier than it looks in this animated gem from 2006. Featuring vocal talents such as Steve Buscemi, Fred Willard and John Heder, this movie is a great feature that's suitable for viewing by the whole family.

King County Aquatic Center

Visit the aquatic center Web site, www.metrokc.gov/parks/kcac/, for the pool schedule.

West Point Treatment Plant

King County marine biologist Kimberle Stark is leading a guided ecology walk at West Point beach near Discovery Park this Saturday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. The tour begins at West Point Treatment Plant, 1400 W. Utah St., in Seattle's Discovery Park. All ages are welcome at this free event. Space is limited so registrations are required by calling 206-296-8361 or e-mailing jo.sullivan@kingcounty.gov.

Third-annual Duwamish River Festival

Saturday August 18, 2007, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Duwamish Waterway Park
7900 10th Avenue South in the South Park neighborhood
A free, family-friendly environmental festival featuring updates on the Duwamish River Superfund cleanup, the day includes live entertainment, water taxi rides, food, children's activities, kayak tours, health information, natural yard care tips and more. King County's Wastewater Treatment Division and Water and Land Resources Division are co-sponsors of this great event.

King County Trails

Construction projects on three trails that are part of King County's 175-mile regional trail system will mean temporary detours – but trail users who have to endure slight inconveniences now will be rewarded for years to come by smoother, safer trails.

Improvements to the Sammamish River Trail south of Redmond are scheduled to begin Aug. 20. A half-mile stretch of trail will receive a new surface and be widened. Cyclists on the trail will have to walk through the construction zone. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 7.

There's also a short detour on the Green River Trail in Kent. Much-needed repairs to the levee on which the trail sits requires that trail users follow a brief detour around the construction zone. The detour is clearly marked and follows nearby surface streets.

Finally, a short detour is being developed for Preston-Snoqualmie Trail around the Preston ballfields construction site. King County, the Preston Community Club, Eastside Football Club and Issaquah Little League are developing a new park.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at www.metrokc.gov/parks/.