The Group has been active on a number of fronts, with election-related activities taking center stage. On a local level, we’re happy to report that most of the Group’s endorsed candidates were elected.Soos Creek Park Ivy Removal and Replanting.  Soos Creek Park, on Kent’s rapidly growing East Hill, has been a growing focus for the Group recently, and we held our third work party there last fall. One group of volunteers cleared this area of Scotch Broom and sowed native plants supplied by King County Parks. Another group cleared ivy from an area that had been identified as seriously threatened. We have made great progress in the Park and we plan to continue our work there this year. A huge ‘Thank You’ to all the volunteers who made the fall work party a great success!

Soos Creek Park Integrity

In addition to habitat restoration, we worked to preserve the integrity of Soos Creek Park. The South King County Group, along with the Friends of Soos Creek, was successful in stopping a proposed King County Ordinance to transfer a portion of Soos Creek Park to the City of Covington. This proposed ordinance would have hurt the regional character of a park which runs between Renton, Kent, and Covington. We were successful in convincing Covington the park should remain a regional asset under the jurisdiction of a single entity, King County. 

The Covington City Council heard testimony from members of the community on September 7. Many people wrote letters and e-mails to members of both the Covington City Council and the King County Council. After several weeks of discussion, the Covington City Council decided not to agree to the transfer, thereby ensuring (for now) the regional integrity of Soos Creek Park. The County has been a good steward of the park, and we expect it will continue to maintain the park as a single regional resource, wildlife habitat, and migratory bird corridor.

On October 26, the Covington City Council passed a resolution requesting the King County Council establish a task force to study and implement a “Master Plan for the Soos Creek Park and Regional Trail,” with representation from Renton, Kent, and Covington. We will maintain an active voice as the process moves forward.

Call for Nominees

The South King County Group is looking for a few good men and women to serve on its Executive Committee. The ExCom meets every other month to facilitate the operations of the Group, from planning group activities to voting on action to be taken at local and regional levels. ExCom members must be Sierra Club members and live within the group’s area. If you are interested in taking a more active role with the group, please contact Mark Johnston at (253) 639-3862. Elections will be held in March.