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Category parks   Show all

  • New Park Rule Requires Residents to Follow Posted Signage at City Parks

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    On July 21st, the Sammamish City Council adopted an ordinance requiring all park users to follow posted signage at City parks. The new park rule includes any and all signs communicating COVID-19 restrictions established by the Governor’s phased reopening plan. As part of Phase 2 guidelines, outdoor recreation is restricted to five or fewer people outside a household and is part of the Governor’s data-driven approach to reopen Washington and encourage social distancing measures while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19. Despite the Governor’s physical distancing orders, the Sammamish City Council; the Sammamish Police Department; the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department; and the Sammamish community have observed park users gathering in large groups well beyond the Governor’s guidelines, which threatens the preservation of the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community. Violation of posted signage in a City park may now include a fine up to $500.

  • Recreate Responsibly While Celebrating Independence Day

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    With the Fourth of July holiday around the corner, we invite the Sammamish community to celebrate with family and friends responsibly. Let’s do our part to keep COVID-19 from spreading by wearing facial coverings and continuing to maintain physical distancing and good hygiene practices. Parks and trails can quickly become crowded; have another plan if your destination is too congested to maintain good social distancing.

    The King County Council reminds us, "COVID-19 has been on the sharp rise in King County recently, and health experts are increasingly concerned we’re moving in the wrong direction. We all must be vigilant to help reduce the spread, as we look to celebrate Independence Day this weekend."

    Recreate Responsibly:

    • Limit gathering sizes; socialize with no more than 5 people outside your household.
    • Know before you go – familiarize yourself with what park and trail amenities are open.
    • Respect closures of park features to help prevent the spread of the virus.
    • Give others plenty of room whether you are in a park, on a trail, at a boat launch or in a parking lot.
    • Wear your facial covering.

    We are currently in Phase 2, and with everyone following ‘Recreate Responsibly’ guidelines, we can all safely enjoy the holiday!

  • What's Open, What's Closed: Sammamish City Parks in Phase 2

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    • As you plan your visit, remember to practice social distancing, avoid congregating, use of PPE and frequent hand-washing is recommended, stay home if you are sick, and follow the most current CDC guidelines.
    • Most of Sammamish’s closed park amenities are out in the open and cannot be fully secured or locked. Please honor closure notices as part of the community’s collective response and individual responsibility to keep everyone safe.

    The City of Sammamish continues to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with the Governor's orders and to ensure that social distancing measures (maintaining six feet of space between people) will be adhered to. All Sammamish City parks and preserves continue to remain open to pedestrian and bicycle access with the following modifications:

    Park amenities for Phase 2 opening:

    • Athletic Fields (City-owned)
    • Courts
    • Dog Park (no water)
    • Beaches – Fishing only
      • Sammamish Landing Park
      • Beaver Lake Park

    The associated parking lots for these amenities are open, which include East Sammamish Park, Ebright Creek Park, and Beaver Lake Park.

    • Trails at all City Parks
    • Evans Creek Preserve
    • Beaver Lake Preserve
    • Lower Sammamish Commons
    • Sammamish Landing Park
    • Parking lots to parks without gates:
    • Klahanie Park
    • NE Sammamish Park
    • Big Rock Park
    • Restrooms/Sani-cans

    The following amenities will remain closed until Phase 3:

    • Pine Lake Park Gate and Beach
    • Docks at Sammamish Landing and Pine Lake Park
    • Playgrounds at all Parks
    • Sammamish Commons Skate Park

    Group size restrictions in effect: Gatherings of five or fewer people from outside the household are permitted.

    Organized athletic games, practices and pickup games are not permitted.

    Use of PPE and frequent hand-washing is recommended.

    As you plan your visit, remember to practice social distancing, avoid group gatherings, keep it moving to help prevent crowding, stay home if you are sick, and follow the most current CDC guidelines.

  • Summer Lifeguard Program Canceled at Pine Lake Park

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    On Tuesday, June 2, the Sammamish City Council reviewed and approved a phasing plan to begin re-opening park amenities throughout the City.

    In line with King County, the City of Sammamish’s Phase 1B does not allow for the use of docks or swimming, and aquatic facilities in Western Washington remain closed. This condition, combined with many other factors, including staffing shortage, additional risk of COVID transmission when performing resuscitation, and the multiple challenges social distancing poses, does not support the city’s efforts to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission, forcing the City of Sammamish to cease the lifeguard program this summer at Pine Lake Park.

    In the absence of lifeguards, City officials want to remind the public that they swim at their own risk and to be extra cautious. This advisory applies to any water recreation at Beaver Lake and Sammamish Landing as well.

    It is recommended that all people, especially children, use life jackets or flotation devices when they are near or in the water. Other safety tips include:

    - Be wary of the risk of cold shock due to frigid spring water temperatures;

    - Look for hazards in the water like swift currents and debris;

    - Read and follow all signage.

    The City will be issuing drowning prevention information and water safety tips on social media.

  • Sammamish City Parks Safe Start Update for June 4

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    UPDATE JUNE 5: Now that King County has been approved to move into Modified Phase 1, the City will be implementing the reopening of amenities, the week of June 8.


    As you plan your visit, remember to practice social distancing, avoid congregating, use of PPE and frequent hand-washing is recommended, stay home if you are sick, and follow the most current CDC guidelines.

    Most of Sammamish’s closed park amenities are out in the open and cannot be fully secured or locked. Please honor closure notices as part of the community’s collective response and individual responsibility to keep everyone safe.

    For the latest updates, visit City of Sammamish COVID-19 Information & Resources.

    The City of Sammamish continues to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with the Governor's orders and to ensure that social distancing measures (maintaining six feet of space between people) will be adhered to. As we move into Modified Phase 1, based on King County’s application and approval to move forward, the City will be opening some additional park amenities. All Sammamish City parks and preserves continue to remain open to pedestrian and bicycle access with the following modifications:

    Park amenities projected for Modified Phase 1 opening:

    • Athletic Fields (City-owned)
    • Courts
    • Dog Park (no water)
    • Beaches – Fishing only
      • Sammamish Landing Park
      • Beaver Lake Park

    The associated parking lots for these amenities will be opened, which include East Sammamish Park, Ebright Creek Park, and Beaver Lake Park.

    • Group size restrictions in effect: Gatherings of five or fewer people from outside the household are permitted.

    Organized athletic games, practices and pickup games are not permitted.

    • Use of PPE and frequent handwashing is recommended.

    The above openings will be added to the existing availability of parks/amenities below:

    • Trails at all City Parks
    • Evans Creek Preserve
    • Beaver Lake Preserve
    • Lower Sammamish Commons
    • Sammamish Landing Park
    • Parking lots to parks without gates:
    • Klahanie Park
    • NE Sammamish Park
    • Big Rock Park
    • Restrooms/Sani-cans

    The following amenities will remain closed until Phase 3:

    • Pine Lake Park Gate and Beach
    • Docks at Sammamish Landing and Pine Lake Park
    • Playgrounds at all Parks
    • Sammamish Commons Skate Park

    As you plan your visit, remember to practice social distancing, avoid group gatherings, keep it moving to help prevent crowding, stay home if you are sick, and follow the most current CDC guidelines.

    For the latest updates, visit City of Sammamish COVID-19 Information & Resources.


  • Sammamish City Parks Closure Updates for May 4, 2020

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    On March 25, the City of Sammamish took measures within City Parks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with the Governor's orders and to ensure that social distancing measures (six feet of space between people) could be adhered to.

    Though many State-run parks in Washington will re-open tomorrow, May 5, City Parks will continue to have modified levels of public access. Because our Parks generally have a smaller capacity than State Parks:

    1. All Sammamish City parks and preserves will remain open to pedestrian and bicycle access.

    2. Gates to parking lots will NOT be opened for parks, so they will have no vehicular access. Parks affected include Beaver Lake Park, East Sammamish Park, Pine Lake Park, Ebright Creek Park, Sammamish Landing. Please note that there are parks that do not have gates to their parking lots (Klahanie Park, NE Sammamish Park, Big Rock Park), so these lots will remain open.

    3. The City of Sammamish is not currently allowing fishing or swimming from docks or beaches at Pine Lake Park, Beaver Lake Park, or Sammamish Landing.

    4. Gates to parking lots of preserves will remain open. This includes Evans Creek Preserve and Beaver Lake Preserve. Gates to the Lower Sammamish Commons park will remain open to allow access for the SE 4th Street contractor and for CrossPath Counseling.

    5. Restrooms and sani-cans will remain open.

    6. The Dog Park (at Beaver Lake Park) and ball fields/sports courts at all parks will remain locked.

    7. Playgrounds and the Skate Park at Sammamish Commons will remain closed.

    Please note: Beaver Lake Boat Launch is a State-run access to the lake and is expected to re-open tomorrow. This is separate from Beaver Lake Park, maintained by the City of Sammamish, which will continue to have a closed parking lot gate in order to prevent overcrowding on our docks and at our beaches. The City of Sammamish is not currently allowing fishing from docks or beaches at Pine Lake Park, Beaver Lake Park, or Sammamish Landing.

    These measures are being taken to prevent any of our City parks from becoming "destinations" for large groups of people. Because the Governor has requested that Washingtonians “recreate locally,” we encourage residents to walk in their neighborhoods and explore their closest parks, so that no one park becomes overcrowded.



  • Summer Event Cancellations

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    At Tuesday evening’s City Council Special Meeting, an important determination was made regarding all City-sponsored events through the summer. In order to protect the community and mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19, the City Council voted to cancel all City of Sammamish events through the end of August, as well as the 2020 Farmers Market. This was not a decision that was made lightly, and the City has the deepest regret that the community will not be able to come together to celebrate in-person during this challenging time. However, the safety of our residents is of the utmost importance. The unknown trajectory of the pandemic and the impossibility of maintaining safe social distancing at these popular events weighed heavily in the decision. We recognize the importance of our summer events in bringing the community together to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere at our Parks, and we look forward to a time when we can all celebrate Sammamish together!

    The following summer events have been canceled:

    Farmers Market – May 6, 2020 – September 16, 2020 (Wednesdays)

    Rig-A-Palooza – May 16, 2020

    Scooter Competition – June 24, 2020

    Fourth on the Plateau – July 4, 2020

    KidsFirst! Performances – July 7, 2020 – August 11, 2020 (Tuesdays)

    Concerts in the Park – July 9, 2020 – August 20, 2020 (Thursdays)

    Outdoor Movie on the Plaza – July 10, 2020 & August 14, 2020

    Shakespeare in the Park – July 18, 2020 & July 25, 2020

    Sammamish P.O.P. – Party on the Plateau – August 7, 2020 – August 8, 2020

    Any events approved through Special Use Permit – May 2020 – August 2020

    For more information on Parks programming, please contact Chris Jordan, Recreation Manager, at cjordan@sammamish.us.

  • No Vehicular Access to Sammamish City Parks Beginning March 25

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    Starting tomorrow, March 25, 2020, the City of Sammamish will take additional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with the Governor's recent orders and to ensure that social distancing measures (six feet of space between people) can be adhered to.

    1. All parks and preserves will remain open to pedestrian access.
    2. Gates to parking lots will NOT be opened for parks, so they will have no vehicular access. Parks affected include Beaver Lake Park, East Sammamish Park, Pine Lake Park, Ebright Creek Park, Sammamish Landing. Please note that there are parks that do not have gates to their parking lots (Klahanie Park, NE Sammamish Park, Big Rock Park), so these lots will remain open.
    3. Gates to parking lots of preserves will remain open. This includes Evans Creek Preserve and Beaver Lake Preserve. Gates to the Lower Sammamish Commons park will remain open to allow access for the SE 4th Street contractor and CrossPath Counseling.
    4. Restrooms and sani-cans will remain open.
    5. The Dog Park (at Beaver Lake Park) and ball fields/sports courts at all parks will be locked.
    6. Playgrounds will remain closed.

    These measures are being taken to prevent any of our City parks from becoming "destinations" for large groups of people. While outdoor exercise is considered an essential activity under the Governor's most recent order, we urge people to stay in their homes as much as possible. If you do go outside, we recommend that residents walk in their neighborhoods and explore their closest parks, so that no one park becomes overcrowded.

    Thank you, and stay healthy!


  • Sammamish Closing Park Playgrounds and Skate Park, Effective 3/20

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    Beginning tomorrow, March 20, 2020, the City of Sammamish will begin closing the Sammamish Commons Skate Park and all park playgrounds until further notice in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, with all playgrounds being closed by mid-day.

    Though our parks and trails remain open for general use, please avoid congregating in them. Residents must practice social distancing while enjoying our parks by maintaining 6 feet of separation from other people.

    Remember to thoroughly wash or sanitize your hands after touching any surfaces.

    Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!