Newsletter

January, 2025

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January Newsletter

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the joy of Lake Sammamish State Park throughout 2024! As we step into 2025, FLSSP is thrilled to announce exciting new community events alongside our beloved traditions, including the Polar Plunge, Camp S’more, and many more! Don’t miss out—register today for our first event of the year, the Polar Plunge, happening on New Year’s Day!


As we welcome the New Year, we’re filled with anticipation for all that we will achieve together. Our mission remains steadfast: to support, enhance, and promote Lake Sammamish State Park. Your continued generosity is vital as we strive to make this community asset a model for sustainability and accessibility for generations to come.


We are immensely grateful for your support throughout 2024. Together, we have made significant strides in enhancing our park and nurturing our community. Here’s to an incredible 2025 filled with adventure, connection, and continued growth!


With gratitude and gratefulness,

Paige Basinger

FLSSP Board President


Thank You for Your Generous Support in 2024 


Thank you for your support this past 2024! Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is a small, but dedicated group of community members who strive to make Lake Sammamish State Park a treasure within our community. Your generous support for our work and events help us continue to provide quality community programming, fun events like the Polar Plunge, and monthly restoration work to help restore sections of the park to improve habitat for wildlife, fish and humans to enjoy! 



We welcome your generous support as we move into 2025 – donate here today - to help us continue our community inspired work. 

2024 “A Bid for Nature” Auction was a Success- Thank You


Wow, what a year! Our 2024 “Bid for Nature” auction helped secure just shy of $5000 for FLSSP’s effort in the park. Your generous support will go toward 2025 efforts to bring in monthly community programming for the park and our volunteer efforts to clear the blackberries and non-natives at a new one-acre restoration site in the park. Thank you to our donors and sponsors for such fabulous items!  

Celebrate the New Year and Polar Plunge! 


Come on out and make a splash this New Year's Day at our annual Polar Plunge event! There is still time to register before the big SPLASH! The first three hundred registrants will receive fun Polar Plunge commemorative items. Registration will be available on the day of the event, but you might miss out on our 2025 Polar Plunge pins. Visit our events page here to read more about the fun in the park on New Year's Day and see a short video of last year’s Polar Plunge. 

Storm Clean Up Efforts


Many of you suffered downed trees and damage to your home, and Lake Sammamish State Park suffered from the devastating cyclone bomb as well. Thank you to our volunteers for coming out on December 15th and supporting storm clean-up efforts at the park. The 20+ volunteer crew worked diligently to clear key trails and walking areas that are vital for visitor access and safety. FLSSP in coordination with WA State Park will be hosting another storm clean-up effort at Lake Sammamish State Park on Saturday, January 18th. Please register here to attend.


Other organizations are working hard to organize volunteer efforts to help clear trails at Squak Mountain. To learn more please visit our partner IATC for more information. 

2025 State Park Discover Pass Free Days


State Parks has announced its 2025 Discover Pass Free Days. In 2025 there will be eleven free days to enjoy Lake Sammamish State Park, the first event is on January 1st. We invite you to come on down to the park to enjoy our festive Polar Plunge activities and take a winter walk around Lake Sammamish State Park. To see all the dates of Discover Pass Free Days and to learn more visit WA State Parks here. 

Want to Consider Camping in a WA State Park?


Now is the time to look for those coveted summer reservations at our Washington State Park campgrounds. To get out and camp on our Washington public lands, you can check out the Washington State Park reservation page here.

Upcoming FLSSP Hosted Community Events:

January 1, 10:30am - 12:30am, Sunset Beach


Polar Plunge!

Polar Plunge returns on New Year’s Day 2025. Festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. with registration, music, and merriment brought to you by Clown Garage on the shores of Sunset Beach. The crowd will “plunge” at noon. 


Register Here

Jan 18, 2025, 10am to 12pm, Location TBD


In coordination with State Parks FLSSP will host a second storm clean-up event at Lake Sammamish State Park. We will be working to clear trails and critical park areas to continue to improve access and reduce walking hazards in the park. Please register to attend the event here. 

Register Here

Jan. 25, 2025, 10am to 12pm, Meadow Shelter

Nature Writing Workshop


Join FLSSP Board Member, Tiffanny Brooks, as she walks you through creative prompts and guided exercises to help you craft evocative descriptions that draw readers into nature’s mysteries. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just beginning your journey, this class will inspire you to express your unique perspectives and deepen your connection with the natural world.

Register Here

Feb. 5, 2025, 6pm to 8pm, Formula Brewing

New Lakeside Lecture Series Kick-Off Event: The History of Our Place


Join FLSSP and UWRP as we launch the 2025 Lakeside Lecture Series. This Feb 5th at Formula Brewing we will be hosting several wonderful speakers to explore the history of the surrounding community in a fun and engaging format. The speakers will be talking about a wide range of topics, including the growth and development of this community, as well as the concepts that led to the creation of Lake Sammamish State Parks and the open spaces of our community.  


Our next Lakeside Lecture Series will be celebrating restoration efforts in our community with a Community Open House April 3rd at Lake Sammamish State Park starting at 5:30 p.m. We will be exploring the Issaquah Creek Project led by Mountain to Sound Greenway Trust and other restoration efforts in and around Lake Sammamish State Park. Registration will open soon. 

Learn More

Once again, thank you for your support throughout 2024. We wish you a joyous, healthy and adventurous 2025! See you at the park!

Contact Us

operations@flssp.org

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