March, 2024

March Newsletter

March is the month that we welcome in Spring. It is a month that dances between the bareness of winter and the promise of growth. It is this feeling of Spring awakening that pulls me outside to enjoy a walk on the paths and trails in Lake Sammamish State Park and see the promise of restoration and new beginnings. Talking a walk in the park is also a healthy habit that helps me restore my spirit, alleviate stress, and connect with nature. So it is fitting for us to celebrate “Take a Walk in the Park Day” on March 30th and honor the bounty of health that we receive from walking in our local parks and public lands. We also have the opportunity to enjoy two Discover Pass Free Days this month on the 9th (Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday) and 19th (State Park’s 111th birthday). With this in mind, I hope you’ll take a walk in the park this March and celebrate spring with us!

Warmly,

Jayme Jonas, President FLSSP

P.S. We would love to see your favorite Spring walking path in Lake Sammamish State Park – tag us with #FLSSPWalkinthePark in your Lake Sammamish State Park photos this March!

Vendor Registration for Walk n Wag: Now through April 5th

Calling all pet-focused businesses and organizations! FLSSP is seeking vendors for Walk n Wag’s “Doggie Village” where you’ll have the opportunity to meet, sell and/or give away items to the pet owners and friends who attend this fun event at the park. Over 500 people and their pets attended this event last year and we’d love for you to be part! Walk n Wag will take place on May 4th from 10 am – 2 pm. For more information and to register as a vendor, please visit the vendor registration page here.

Calling All Dogs and Pet Lovers to Walk 'n Wag on May 4th

FLSSP is excited to host our 8th annual Walk n Wag event – the largest dog party on the Eastside! This year will be a fun event for the whole family with a 3K walk, Doggie Village with vendors and activities, performances by Seattle Fly Dogs and Rainier Agility, the Banner Bank pet show, food trucks, music from Warm 106.9 and more. Register here to guarantee your spot: each $20 “Bark Pass” includes 3K walk entry for 1 dog and 2 humans (additional humans $5 extra), an entry to the pet show, and your choice of swag item: bandana, Frisbee or collapsible water bowl, as well as giveaways from our partners. All proceeds from Walk n Wag support our work to enhance Lake Sammamish State Park.

Thank you to our sponsors, Alpine Animal Hospital, Michael’s Subaru of Bellevue, and Pet Pros by Earthwise Pet; our Pet Show sponsor, Banner Bank; and our Prize sponsors, All the Best and Pickles Playland, for their support of this event!

Celebrate March at the Park on Two Discover Pass Free Days

Throughout the year there are several days designated as Discover Pass Free days at Washington State Parks. Discover Pass Free days mean that you will not need a Discover pass to park a vehicle at a Washington State Park or on lands managed by Washington Departments of Natural Resources or Fish and Wildlife. This March there are two Discover Pass Free Days:

Saturday, March 9 in honor of Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday and

Tuesday, March 19th – the 111th Birthday of State Parks

We would love for you to celebrate these days exploring the beaches, picnic grounds, and trails of Lake Sammamish State Park. To learn more about the Discover Pass Free days please visit WA State Parks.

Tibbetts Creek Habitat Restoration: Saturday, March 16th 10am – Noon

FLSSP is continuing our work on our Tibbetts Creek Restoration site on March 16th from 10 am – noon. We will continue our work to protect the young trees we planted with wire cages and to pull any sprouting blackberry or other non-native plants during this event. Join us to have some fun and get some work done! Please register to join us on March 16th as we continue to restore Lake Sammamish State Park.

Visit FLSSP at the Issaquah Sustainability Fair: Saturday, March 30th 10 am – 3 pm, Pickering Barn

FLSSP will host a table at the Issaquah Sustainability Fair at nearby Pickering Barn on Saturday, March 30th from 10 am – 3 pm. We would love for you to stop by and say hi, pick up a native seed packet, and learn about our restoration projects and other work for 2024. The Issaquah Sustainability Fair is a great place to learn more about sustainability and sustainable living, sign up to volunteer, or just spend an afternoon exploring more about the City of Issaquah. The fair will give you an opportunity to check out local products, participate in an interactive art piece or go on a mini-field trip to see a salmon habitat restoration site. To learn more please visit: issaquahwa.gov/SustainabilityFair. We look forward to seeing you there!

March 30th – National Take a Walk in the Park Day

After visiting the FLSSP booth at the Issaquah Sustainability Fair, we hope you’ll celebrate National Take a Walk in the Park Day on March 30th. This day was designated as a way to celebrate our local public parks and lands as part of our journey to health and stress management. Walking in the park is an excellent way to clear your mind and improve your health through exercise and clean air.

Lake Sammamish State Park serves as an incredible location to take a daily stroll and is an oasis in our growing urban environment. FLSSP has been working to support trail improvements and maintenance at Lake Sammamish State Park for the past several years. To support our efforts to improve our trails and your walk in the park please consider donating to support FLSSP on National Take a Walk in the Park Day. We truly value your support!

In Case You Missed It...

FLSSP’s Annual Report is available online! The report is a handy summary of all we accomplished in 2023, clearly highlights how those accomplishments tie to our mission and vision, provides an overview of our finances, and is a way for our organization to publicly thank our partners, sponsors, and corporate and community donors. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the 340 volunteers who generously donated the gift of their time to improving the park in 2023.

Our Winter Photography contest closes on March 15th! If you haven’t submitted your favorite images of our park in the cold and wet winter months, do so now! Learn more and enter here.

Upcoming Partner Events

March 6th 6:00 – 7:30 pm:

Mountain to Sound Greenway Trivia Night in North Bend

Grab some friends and join Mountain to Sound Greenway for an epic night of Greenway-themed Trivia and Tomfoolery hosted by Compass Outdoor Adventures at their South Fork North Bend restaurant and bar location.

March 17th at 1 pm:

Snake Patrick’s Day at Lake Sammamish State Park

Join a Washington State Parks Interpreter for a fun look into all things snakes in this family friendly, all ages program where we will learn more about these often misunderstood critters.

Meet at the Sunset Beach Building at 1 pm. This program will take place in a covered area with open sides, so dress for the weather. Building is ADA accessible.

March 21st 9am – Noon:

Squak Mountain Restoration with IATC and WA State Parks

Join IATC and WA State Parks as we continue work to eradicate invasive plants, mainly European Holly, on Squak Mountain. Years ago there was a Holly farm in the neighborhood and because European Holly spreads well in our climate it is very prolific and eventually chokes out our Western Washington native plants. We will provide know-how and most tools, but this is a big project so we need your help!

Registration is Required

April 3rd 5:30pm - 7:30pm:

Coexisting with Carnivores Panel

Tibbets Creek Manor

Join us for a night of learning about the bears and coyotes that we share a home with in and around Issaquah. Learning from a panel of professionals and experts we will discuss their biology, role in our local ecosystems, and how city initiatives are influenced by coexistence and empathy. This is a space to provide community members with tips on how best to coexist and engage in the support of carnivores.

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