Summer’s here, and so is summertime fun in King County Parks – Your Big Backyard

Live music, mountain biking and great hiking among the many outdoor offerings

The recent bout of hot weather removed any doubt that summer really has come to the Pacific Northwest. So how to fill long hours of sunlight and pleasant temperatures?

Fear not. King County Parks – Your Big Backyard – features a bounty of terrific activities to choose from. Whether it’s a great live music venue, quiet forest paths or gorgeous Puget Sound beaches, King County Parks has got you covered.

Here’s a sample of what’s coming up:
 
Marymoor Park

Marymoor Concert Series

Tonight – 7 p.m.
Barenaked Ladies
Grammy-nominated heavyweights of the 1990s alt-pop/rock scene, Canada’s fun-loving Barenaked Ladies are touring in support of their recently released album, “All in Good Time,” the band’s 12th disc since coming together in 1992. Despite the recent departure of founder Steven Page, the band remains a great live act.

Saturday, July 24 – 7 p.m.
1964 – The Beatles tribute band
Rolling Stone called 1964 the “best Beatles tribute band in the world,” and that’s saying something, given the number of groups out there trying to capture the magic of the Fab Four. They certainly are the longest-lived tribute band, having formed nearly three decades ago and played more than 2,900 shows – most of them with the original four members. The group typically plays two sets of Beatles hits (as if there was any other kind of Beatles songs): The early years, followed by a sampling of their middle years. This is a great show for Baby Boomers looking to relive their youth, plus Gen X’ers and even younger music lovers who want to see what the fuss is all about.

Tickets for these and all other Concerts at Marymoor shows are available online at http://www.concertsatmarymoor.com/, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Marymoor Park business office.

Located on the great lawn next to the historic Clise Mansion, Marymoor's state-of-the-art venue offers outstanding staging, production and acoustics in an intimate park setting. The picturesque venue has space for 1,000 reserved seats and 4,000 general admission lawn tickets, many of them elevated on an earthen berm.

Movies @ Marymoor

Wednesday, July 21 – seating opens at 7; trivia fun and prize giveaways start at 8:15 p.m.; movie starts at approximately 9:30 p.m.

“Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”
Now in its sixth year, the family-friendly Wednesday night series is produced by Epic Events and continues July 21 with the 2009 animated hit, “Ice Age, Dawn of the Dinosaurs.” This third installment in the “Ice Age” series features the vocal talents of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott and others. The film has made a staggering $885 million worldwide, giving it the distinction of being the highest grossing animated movie of all time.

Movies are shown at MacNair Field on a 40-foot-tall inflatable movie screen. Preferred seating for pre-movie activities is $5 per person and children under 5 get in for free. A permit is required to park in Marymoor, which movie-goers can pay for at vending machines located throughout the park. Popcorn, coffee and other treats are available for purchase from vendors in the park, and alcohol use is strictly prohibited. This is a dog-friendly event; people with pets are asked to sit at the far end of the seating area and keep their pooches on a leash and under control at all times.

Cottage Lake Park

July 15 – 7 p.m.
Music in the Park at Cottage Lake
The Upper Bear Creek Community Council sponsors this annual outdoor music series, which continues July 15 with a show by the Emerald City Jug Band. Next Thursday, July 22, it’s Bochinche – Latin music featuring interactive percussion instruments. Live music comes to Cottage Lake Park every Thursday evening through Aug. 5. All shows start at 7 p.m. and are free. Details are at http://www.upperbearcreek.com/.

Vashon-Maury Island

Feel like a staycation? Hop on a ferry to Vashon Island and take in some of the beautiful scenery. Check out Island Center Forest, all 396 acres of it, and featuring trails that are perfect for wildlife viewing. As its name suggests, Island Center Forest is in the center of Vashon Island and protects headwaters of a salmon-bearing stream. Feel like hitting the beach instead? No problem. Dockton Park, on the western shore of Maury Island, features the calm, protected waters of Quartermaster Harbor. For a bit wilder time, head to Maury’s southeastern shore and Maury Island Marine Park, a 320-acre parcel that offers plenty of room for beachcombing, wildlife viewing and picnicking. These and other recreational areas and open spaces on Vashon-Maury Island are featured in a handy, downloadable map:http://your.kingcounty.gov/ftp/gis/Web/VMC/recreation/vashon_guide.pdf.

Duthie Hill Park

Heads up that the parking lot at Duthie Hill Park on the Sammamish Plateau will be closed to all access Aug. 2-5 for paving and other improvements. Crews will expand the entrance to the parking area, allowing for safer entrances and exits. During the closure, Duthie Park users will be asked to use the alternate parking locations at Endeavour and Cascade elementary schools.

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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 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 http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.