Cougar Mountain Precipice Trailhead Development

Category Overview

Local Parks grants help protect these symbols of vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in an era when people spend increasing amounts of their time inside. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping communities fund the acquisition, development, and renovation of vital recreation areas and green spaces.

Project Highlights

King County DNRP Parks utilized this grant to design, permit and construct a trailhead parking lot on the east side of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. A cultural resouces survey was performed and reviewed by RCO and the tribes. This survey influenced the inadvertent discovery plan for the construction phase. The project constructed a 30-stall asphalt parking lot. A kiosk, informational and regulatory signage, two interpretive signs, sensitive area fencing, stormwater facilities, trail connection to existing trail system, restroom, two picnic tables, waste receptacles, bike racks, and landscape restoration were also constructed to support the trailhead. Permitting requirements included 1 acre of mitigation plantings to offset the development within the stream buffers. The first approved scope change included the reduction of 40 parking stalls to 30 stalls and 2 toilets in the restroom building to 1 toilet. A second scope change eliminated the CXT restroom building. A portable toilet was installed in its place. The A&E limit was increased to 35% to accommodate the increased costs related to stream buffer permitting conditions and coordination with the adjacent city’s road improvements. Three time extensions were granted on this project, due to extended permitting time.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: King County DNR & Parks Category: Local Parks WWRP Grant: $500,000.00 Applicant Match: $634,600.00 Project Type: Development County: King Legislative District: 5 Status: Completed RCO Project # 16-1363

Location Details

Traveling eastbound on Interstate 90, take Exit 15 (WA-900 W/17TH AVE NW exit) in Issaquah. Drive south ~1/2 mile to intersection of Newport Way NW with 17th Ave NW/SR 900. Turn right on Newport Way NW, and travel 1/2 mile west to park trailhead entrance.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.