Volunteers needed to help clear storm-toppled trees, other debris from several King County parks

No park in King County's nationally acclaimed parks system survived last December's windstorm unscathed.

Backcountry trails at Cougar Mountain, Grand Ridge, and Soaring Eagle parks suffered some of the worst damage, with hundreds of trees blown down by the wind still clogging trails at these largely undeveloped parks.

Marymoor Park, one of King County's most-popular destinations, also took heavy damage during the windstorm.

King County has already been joined by volunteers to start the massive clean-up project. Individuals from the Washington Trails Association, the Seattle Running Company and the Washington Backcountry Horsemen have all pitched in.

"We are so fortunate to have a dedicated core group of volunteers who are already pitching in and restoring these parks to a useable condition, but we need more help," said Parks Director Kevin Brown.

Several volunteer work parties have been scheduled at the hardest-hit parks. Here is the current list of volunteer clean-up opportunities:

Marymoor Park

Work parties are scheduled for Jan. 6 and 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. Work will include picking up limbs and branches and stacking them in piles, or loading them onto trucks, plus raking leaves and clearing walkways.

For more information, contact Laurie Clinton, volunteer program coordinator, at 206-296-4452 or laurie.clinton@kingcounty.gov.

Grand Ridge and Soaring Eagle parks

Work parties are being organized for Jan. 6 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parks. Because volunteers will be working to clear trails away from park entrances, volunteers will be asked to remain until 2 p.m. To sign-up for a work party, or for driving directions, contact Tina Miller, volunteer program coordinator, at 206-296-2990 or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Work parties are scheduled daily beginning Jan. 9 and running through Jan. 14, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. each day. Contact the Washington Trails Association to volunteer, 206-625-1367, or at www.wta.org.

Another work party to help clean up storm debris at Cougar Mountain is scheduled Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Miller to volunteer, at 206-296-2990 or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov. Individual volunteers and groups are welcome. Separate work parties for large groups can be accommodated.