FLSSP welcomes its new trustee, Bill Way of Sammamish. Bill is well known as a watershed expert and brings a wealth of expertise in restoration and ecology. He is also a member of the Friends of East Lake Sammamish Trail.

New bike racks have popped up at Sunset Beach. The one pictured is right across from the new playground at Sunset Beach – enjoy!

Calling all dogs and their humans! The Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is happy to announce the 2nd annual "Walk 'n Wag" canine inspired walk-a-thon to raise funds for improving the park. Come meet other dog owners in the community, make new friends and have fun! If you do not have a dog, but like dogs, come and see what's going on!

Volunteer with Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park: Assist with Walk’n Wag dog walk on March 19 as a trail guide. Become a docent, helping teach environmental education to students. Training begins in March. Event planners wanted! Join the Celebrations Committee to help plan Parkadilly kids fair and a news summer campout event. Help restore habitat to its natural state. Next event is Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our new Gardening Corps is just getting started. Help plant and weed flower beds to help with park beautification.

Contact director@flssp.org to learn more about volunteering with FLSSP projects.

It’s official - AVP Beach Volleyball will return to Lake Sammamish State Park from June 22-June 25, 2017.

All-Access Playdays at the All-Access Playground - March 1 and March 30We welcome children of all abilities, ages and skill levels as well as their caregivers to learn how to use the new all-access play equipment on Wednesday March 1 and/or Thursday March 30 from 3 to 5 p.m.

We will soon have a wider entrance to Lake Sammamish State Park. The narrow roadway, troubling for buses, has been widened by the removal of the landscape barrier. Once bids are finalized, paving will occur. More groups are using the park and so increasing the convenience of those traveling by large bus has become a priority!

Introducing New Board Member Sean McClellanNew FLSSP trustee, Sean McLellan, is a seasoned technology professional with 18 years of experience and a published author. He is originally from Texas and moved to Washington with his family in 1999. Sean currently resides in Renton.

Sean has contributed to Friends of Lake Sammamish Park already by creating an active Twitter presence and attracting more than 3000 followers. Adding to this role as a new member of the board, Sean will be collaborating on membership strategy. In his spare time, Sean enjoys golf, fishing and horseback riding.

Future File – Save these ‘play’ dates for 2017!Here are some fun times coming your way at Lake Sammamish State Park in 2017:

March 19 – Walk ‘n Wag 5k and 3k dog walk May 12-13 – NW Paddling Festival June 10 – Outdoor Recreation Expo July 23 – Parkadilly at Lake Sammamish, Kids’ Concert, Fair & Fun! And more…stay tuned!

Wrap Up the Year with a Gift to FLSSP Thinking about a year-end charitable donation? Consider a gift to FLSSP to continue the work of bringing new amenities and beautification to the park. Click on the link below. Thank you!

lakesammamishfriends.org/donate/

Please consider giving a gift of membership to Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park AND a year-long Discover Pass which provides entry into any Washington State Park for 12 months! Follow the links below! Thank you! http://lakesammamishfriends.org/join-us/

http://discoverpass.wa.gov/

Fit4Mom Classes Continue!“Stroller Strides® is a stroller-based fitness program designed for moms with little ones. Each 60-minute, total body workout incorporates power walking, strength, toning, songs and activities. Certified fitness instructors offer a variety of fun class formats both indoors and outdoors. We also offer a free playgroup with Our Village so moms can form lasting friendships with other moms through organized playdates, moms' nights out, and activities for the whole family.”

Classes began the week of Oct. 17 and are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:45 a.m. at the ‘flex’ space in the bathhouse at Sunset Beach adjacent to the new playground!

The playground is open! About 200 people came out in the rain on Oct. 15 to help recognize the donors, meet the WARM Radio bear and Woody from Toy Story, eat cookies and cut the ribbon. But mostly they came to swing and slide and jump and climb and explore the playground!

The playground will open for play after the ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 15 — rain or shine or wind! The first 50 kids (ages 4-10) to arrive will cut the ribbon, the donation boulder will be unveiled, Woody from Toy Story and Sponge Bob will be there, refreshments will be served and the 8-foot blue heron will be spraying its fountain of water.But the playground is what it’s all about, watching kids of all abilities — including those in wheelchairs — explore the swings, slides, rotating net, zip line, mushroom house, coal mine, musical instruments, chess board and other adventures that await their discovery. Arrive in plenty of time to get through the entrance gate as a good-sized crowd is expected. Park admission is $10/carload or use your $30 annual Discover Pass.