New Sammamish park names panned
March 5, 2013
New: March 5, 1:36 p.m.
The Sammamish City Council gave its blessing to the first set of improvements to the city’s newest park, though several councilmembers continue to question the scope of long-term plans for the property.
Southeast Eighth Street Park, which is being donated by local resident Mary Pigott piece-by-piece to the city over the next decade or so, will receive 40 roadside parking stalls, improved trails and new restrooms as part of the plan. The city hopes to begin designs this summer with construction likely following in 2014. Read more
Some neighbors unhappy with proposed park access
June 16, 2012
New: June 16, 2:18 p.m.
Sammamish’s tentative plans for its newest park got a thumbs up from the resident donating the land and jeers from several neighbors who worry about the impact to their neighborhoods.
The council got their first look at three potential designs for what is currently being referred to as Southeast Eighth Street Park at a June 12 city council meeting. Local resident Mary Pigott is donating the 51-acre property north of Pine Lake to the city, which plans to run a naming contest for the park in the coming years. Read more
Reard-Freed house to move to new home soon
May 10, 2012
The big day is right around the corner for the Reard/Freed House.
Ella Moore, president of the Sammamish Heritage Society, said the 115-year-old farm house is scheduled to be moved in early June. An exact date for the move has yet to be set. Read more
Design options for Southeast Eighth Street Park unveiled
May 3, 2012
New: May 3, 1:07 p.m.
Southeast Eighth Street Park could serve as one of the more unusual parks in the city of Sammamish, with a restored barn for hosting receptions and art shows, a public orchard and a system of tree houses and bridges bringing users on a tour of the canopy.
That was the vision of city parks staff, who presented some rough sketches of how amenities could be situated on the 51-acre property at an April 25 meeting. Staff collected feedback from members of the public and neighbors. They will be refining their designs before presenting them to the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission members at a joint meeting in the coming months. Read more
Visions of future Southeast Eighth Street Park to be discussed
April 17, 2012
New: April 17, 1:21 p.m.
Imagine a nature walk through the canopy of giant firs, laying on the grass while hearing an educational lecture in a natural amphitheater and finishing the day off with an evening bonfire.
Those were among the visions attendees of a January meeting had of the future of Southeast Eighth Street Park, the interim name for the property donated to the city by local resident Mary Pigott. An April 25 meeting will give residents a glimpse at how those sorts of amenities could be integrated into the 51-acre property and allow more chances for public input. Read more
Portion of Pigott property now open for public perusal
January 5, 2012
New: Jan. 5, 10:17 a.m.
Parkland prepared for plentiful picnics, pleasurable pastimes
Sammamish walkers, runners and hikers now have about a mile of additional trails with the opening of the first piece of the so-called Pigott property in October. Read more
Reard/Freed House to move to Pigott Property
November 19, 2011
New: Nov. 19, 10:18 a.m.
Sammamish’s 115-year-old house may have finally found a home.
The Reard/Freed House, which had been slated to be demolished as little as two years ago, will be moved to a piece of the Pigott property that is slated to become a city park in the next five years or so.
That’s according to the terms a lease approved by the Sammamish City Council by a 3-2 vote at their Nov. 14 meeting. Deputy Mayor Tom Odell and Councilwoman Nancy Whitten voted against the measure; Councilmen John Curley and John James were absent. Read more
Reard/Freed House may find a home on Pigott property
October 14, 2011
New: Oct. 14, 3:07 p.m.
The Freed/Reard House may finally find a home in what could be some sort of heritage-themed park in the heart of Sammamish.
At the Oct. 11 City Council study session, Parks Director Jessi Richardson presented the council with some rough sketches of how a parcel of the Pigott property, slated to be gifted to the city for use as a park in the next five or so years, could look with the Freed/Reard House placed on the grounds. Read more
Freed House may move to Pigott Property
June 3, 2011
Supporters have raised thousands of dollars for the Freed House. Photo by Caleb Heeringa
Supporters of the Freed House got a double dose of good news last week.
On May 26, the 115-year-old farmhouse was declared Sammamish’s first official historical landmark, potentially paving the way for additional grant money for its relocation and restoration. Read more
