Did you know Lake Sammamish State Park has more geocaches than any other Washington State Park? Geocaching, the updated version of a treasure hunt, requires players to find an object by using GPS coordinates listed on Geocaching.com. You'll find several types of clues to get the right coordinates, including mystery or puzzle caches. A puzzle cache takes geocaching to a new challenge level!

Lake Sammamish State Park and naturalist Joy Kacorowski will be offering programs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from June 16th to September 2nd, with the exception of July 29th -30th. Programs are designed for all ages focusing on the natural and cultural resources found at Lake Sammamish State Park. Programs include guided walks, junior ranger programs, interactive activities and demonstrations. Program times

Come out to Lake Sammamish State Park starting on June 29 for our free interpretive programming. Programs are for visitors of all ages.

For the first time, Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park is participating in Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG effort on behalf of non-profits in the Seattle area.https://www.givebigseattle.org/FriendsOfLakeSammStatePark

Like all state parks, Lake Sammamish needs future capital funding to continue improvements for visitors. In the last three years, the Sunset Beach area has received most of the improvements. First came the boardwalk and the new bathhouse, then the all-access playground, followed by the renovated Sunset Beach. Next year the boating/fishing docks will be added, leaving only the picnic area to be renovated.

The 2018-19 capital budget request from Washington State Parks includes $3.5 million for the project. Three new picnic shelters would be built and new lawns would be planted and irrigated.

Come learn about dozens of ways to explore the outdoors with a wide variety of organizations exhibiting from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on June 10. Music, food, hikes, kayaking demonstrations and more. As part of National Get Outdoors Day the parking fee is waived! No Discover Pass required.

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.

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!

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/

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.