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King County Parks seeks public input ahead of Dockton Park play area work; Dockton Forest trails virtual meeting March 9

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King County Parks seeks public input ahead of Dockton Park play area work; Dockton Forest trails virtual meeting March 9

Summary

Share your opinions about desired features for a new play area at Dockton Park by participating in an online survey from King County Parks, and learn more about significant improvements coming to the mountain bike trails system at Dockton Forest by attending a March 9 virtual meeting.

Story

Big improvements are coming to recreational features at King County’s Dockton Park and Dockton Forest, and interested community members can share their opinions and learn more about what’s proposed by participating in an online survey and virtual meeting.

The online survey, available through March 7 at publicinput.com/docktonplayarea, offers community members the opportunity to share their opinions about features for the proposed new Dockton Park play area.

King County Parks took immediate action in to close the play area in November 2020 when workers found the safety surfacing did not meet current safety standards. Scheduled to be replaced in 2024, Parks pushed up the play area replacement timeframe to 2021.

Work planned for this year includes installing a new central play structure, swings, additional play features, and new safety surfacing; improving drainage issues; and redesigning the concrete wall and curb footprint of the play area to improve universal access.

The estimated cost of this work, which is scheduled to be completed by mid-summer, is about $390,000, with funding provided by the 2020-2025 King County Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy.

The mountain bike trails designed and built at Dockton Forest in 2016-17 by the Vashon Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) with support from Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance are about to have a significant growth spurt. 

Planning is underway for a third phase of trail development, including six new trails with some jumps, a dual slalom course, and other advanced features, as well as a pump track.
 
Learn more about these upcoming developments at a virtual open house, Tuesday, March 9 from 7-8 p.m. All are welcome to participate, but you must register in advance at  bit.ly/docktontrails.

The design of the trails system is to establish skills progression opportunities, and there is something for all riders, regardless of level of experience. 

Following extensive public engagement in 2015 to plan the mountain bike trails in Dockton Forest, King County Parks awarded VMBA $75,000 through its Community Partnership and Grants program to develop the system, which has quickly become a prominent feature in the recreation opportunities on Vashon Island. Dockton Forest trails have been largely maintained with volunteer labor spearheaded by VMBA.

RELEVANT LINKS
Dockton Park play area survey
Dockton Forest mountain bike trail meeting registration

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Doug Williams, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-477-4543

About King County Parks

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers 205 parks and 32,000 acres of open space, including popular destinations such as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, plus 175 miles of regional trails, 250 miles of backcountry trails, and a world-class aquatic center. We envision parks, trails, and natural lands for all, sustained with the cooperative efforts of our community.

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