December, 2024

December Newsletter

At Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park, we deeply understand the profound impact this recent storm has had on our beloved community, friends, and neighbors. Our hearts go out to each of you as we navigate this challenging time together. We hope you are safe and finding strength in one another as we unite to restore what was lost. The storm hit Lake Sammamish State Park hard, uprooting trees, damaging infrastructure, and scattering debris along our cherished paths. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated state park staff who are tirelessly working to clear paths and stabilize the park. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our shared sanctuary. Together, we will heal and rebuild.

This Thanksgiving week, as we reflect on what we’re grateful for, Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is reaching out to our community to help restore our beloved park after the recent storm. Throughout December, we’re organizing volunteer clean-up crews and launching a relief fund fueled by year-end donations, our Park Improvement Fund, and proceeds from our "Bid for Nature" auction, which opened on November 27th.

We warmly invite you to join us in this important effort. Your generous contributions this December will help sustain Lake Sammamish State Park as a cherished community resource. Thank you for being a vital part of our recovery journey!

As we work towards Park recovery, let’s embrace hope and community spirit as we welcome the New Year! In the spirit of renewal, we invite you to join us for our annual New Year’s Day Polar Plunge event! Registration opens on December 1st, and the first 300 participants will receive fun commemorative items to celebrate the plunge. Don’t miss out—mark your calendars for December 1st and get ready to make a splash with us!

Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is wishing you a safe and very happy holiday season!

Warmly,

Paige Basinger

FLSSP Board President

Join Us in Supporting Lake Sammamish State Park on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd!

As a small 501(c)(3) community-led organization, the Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park (FLSSP) is dedicated to enhancing and promoting our beloved park. We work tirelessly to bring the community together through a variety of events, from intimate gatherings to larger signature occasions like the Polar Plunge, Walk ‘n Wag, and Camp S’more. Our monthly service events focus on restoring and preserving the park's natural environment. We also collaborate with State Parks to provide other community benefits and keep the park clean and accessible for everyone.

We are working now to help organize volunteer efforts and to dedicate funding specifically to the park to remove debris from the windstorm. To continue our vital work in 2025, we aim to raise $15,000 or more by year-end. Your generous donations directly support our operational and restoration efforts, allowing us to coordinate monthly volunteer events, organize community programs, and purchase materials and native plants for projects.

Will you consider helping us? Your support is vital in continuing our mission of enhancing this beautiful space for everyone to enjoy. Please consider donating today - every contribution counts! Thank you for your generosity!

A Bid for Nature: FLSSP Annual Online Auction Happening Now Through December 4th

We’re excited to announce that A Bid for Nature is live now through December 4th! This annual online auction is a wonderful opportunity to support our mission of enhancing and promoting the beauty and resources of Lake Sammamish State Park.

In the wake of the devastating windstorm, a portion of the proceeds from this event will go directly to fund relief efforts at the park. By participating in our auction, you’ll be helping us ensure that Lake Sammamish State Park remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come.

Join us in making a difference! Shop or donate today at A Bid for Nature and help support our vital work. Thank you for your generosity!

Polar Plunge Registration Opens December 1st

Get ready to splash into the New Year at the annual Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day! Join FLSSP for a refreshing plunge in Lake Sammamish, followed by cozying up by the fire at this beloved community event.

Not ready to take the plunge? No problem! We invite you to come cheer on our brave participants while enjoying hot coffee, delicious TopPot Donuts, and Ivar’s Clam Chowder. There will also be a variety of fun activities throughout the park. Plus, don’t miss our exciting costume contest—come dressed as your favorite polar bear, salmon, or any creative character you can think of!

There are countless ways to celebrate New Year’s Day while supporting the restoration and conservation of Lake Sammamish State Park. We can’t wait to see you for the first big splash of the year!

Join us New Year’s morning for Polar Plunge 2025!

Registration opens December 1st. The first 300 registrants will receive fun commemorative items from Polar Plunge 2025s!

Partnership Between Outdoors For All, UWRP and FLSSP to Increase Community Access in 2025

With a generous donation from the Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Project, Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is excited to announce a partnership with Outdoors For All beginning with Polar Plunge 2025. UWRP has offered funds for any participant in FLSSP programming to rent accessibility equipment. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, participants must register before the indicated date (for Polar Plunge the date is December 16) and follow all OFA guidelines and rules. FLSSP will arrange for all equipment to meet participants at the beginning of the event. We are very excited to offer this program, but please note that aside from Polar Plunge, this option is only available while the Lake Sammamish office of Outdoors For All is open (May - October).

Please stay tuned for more exciting partnerships between Outdoors for All, UWRP and FLSSP.

Restoring our Park One Acre at a Time

Our final restoration event of 2024 was our most incredible volunteer effort yet! On Saturday, November 19th, over 60 passionate community members came together to make a significant impact at Lake Sammamish State Park. Together, we:

• Moved 20 cubic feet of mulch

• Protected young trees with deer-resistant caging

• Planted new native species near the Tibbetts Creek site

This remarkable turnout demonstrates the community's commitment to preserving and enhancing our beautiful park. Your dedication helps us continue our mission of habitat restoration and conservation.

Looking Ahead: We'll be resuming our monthly restoration events in February 2025. Want to get involved? Check our events page to learn more and sign up for upcoming opportunities!

FLSSP Welcomes Julia Walz to the Board of Directors

Julia Walz joined the FLSSP Board of Directors in November of 2024. Julia brings a wealth of experience in environmental education and project management to our Board of Directors.

She currently serves as a teen and adult learning coordinator at the Woodland Park Zoo and has a Masters in Biology.

Julia is excited to join the FLSSP Board to help guide our improvements, restoration work, and community programs at the park. She is thrilled to bring her passion for access to the outdoors and conservation to the work of FLSSP. Welcome to the team, Julia, FLSSP is so happy to have you with us!

FLSSP is seeking additional Board Members to join our Board of Directors. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to our Board President, Paige Basinger, at President@flssp.org.

Partner Events

We have some exciting events coming up in September and want to be sure you’re the first to know!

December 12th 9 – noon: IATC Restoration Event with WA State Parks At Squak Mtn

Join IATC and WA State Parks to help remove invasive holly and blackberry bushes from Squak Mountain. To learn more and register for this event visit IATC’s event page here.

December 7th 1 – 3 PM CoSEE Insect 101 Event

Join us for Insect 101, a hands-on workshop for children and families (ages 7+), on December 7th from 1–3 PM at the EERC in Saint Edward State Park. Led by entomologist Dr. Michele Price, this engaging event will teach you how to use microscopes to explore insect anatomy, identify different species, and discover how scientists research insects in Washington. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn, explore, and have fun!

Learn More About our Partner Here

operations@flssp.org