Marchers and Rally Goers Energize Save Coal Creek
“I can’t think of any effort along the Mountains to Sound Greenway with this kind of support that did not end with a great victory. This is not just a connection between Bellevue’s biggest park and the County’s biggest park – this is one of the most important connections along the whole Greenway from Ellensburg to Puget Sound.”
THE RALLY
On February 11 th , over 120 people gathered at Newcastle Beach Park to show their support for Save Coal Creek. Many marched to the rally on a two-hour trek from Red Town Trailhead to Newcastle Beach Park, a path across trails and roads that allowed them to pass by the land they were advocating for and soak in the feeling of the still-standing forest land. As they marched, they crossed paths with large numbers of hikers curious to learn more about the cause, and cars who honked in support of the mission.
Hikers gather at the Red Town Trailhead for the 6-mile march to Newcastle Beach Park
Marchers carried signs to the rally
As a new member of the IATC this year, I was delighted to see such a range of people – hikers, history buffs, nature enthusiasts, salmon lovers, and more – eager to come together for a local cause. Rally-goers buzzed around signing the petition, posting messages of support on social media, and absorbing the history of the area through exhibits and mining artefacts by the Newcastle Historical Society.
Trail runners dressed up to represent the local salmon. The author is second from the left.
THE HISTORY OF THIS ADVOCACY
For those – like me – who haven’t been following the Save Coal Creek effort until recently, I’ll share a brief history. The IATC established the Save Coal Creek advocacy campaign in 2016 on an urgent mission to preserve this unique 12-acre parcel of land within the Coal Creek wilderness area. If the parcel is not preserved, the developer intends to build 35 single-family homes on the land, with significant impacts on the land itself and the surrounding local wilderness.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park with proposed development
THE MESSAGE OF THE DAY
Four speakers shared messages of optimism and urgency for saving the land: King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, Mountains To Sound Greenway Trust representative Doug McClelland, Save Coal Creek Steering Committee Chair Sally Lawrence, and Issaquah Alps Trails Club Executive Director Paul Winterstein. Their messages were loud and clear:
This parcel of land is uniquely critical to the local ecosystem: saving the land will preserve four different fish bearing streams and protect habitat and a critical wildlife corridor for deer, coyotes, bobcats, and bears
We can prevent traffic: while this area would benefit from more homes, they would be better located closer to transit, rather than increasing traffic on an already-dangerous roadway for commuters and pedestrians
We can preserve history and the connection between parks, by using the land for a trailhead interpretive facility
We need the community voice to urge the City of Bellevue to purchase this critical 12-acre property from the developer
Save Coal Creek supporters gathered at the rally
Sunlight and energy sparked the rally!
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
We still need your help! Here are the small ways you can help make a big impact towards saving coal creek:
Use these talking points, especially when communicating with the Hearing Examiner
Send your comments to hearingexaminer@bellevuewa.gov. All emails must be received by 3:00 PM, Thursday, March 2
Attend the public hearing at 6:00 PM on Thursday, March 2nd:
o In-person at the Bellevue City Hall
o Online via this link, using Passcode 448106 to join
o From a mobile phone or land line, call (253) 215-8752, webinar ID: 812 6190 7590, Passcode 448106
Sign the petition opposing the Isola development. We have over 5,000 signatures and counting!
Make a donation to help support legal costs and promotion of our cause
Take a hike, take a photo and post it to our Facebook page or tag @issaquah_alps_trails_club on Instagram
Review the Development Service's recommendation by visiting the City's permit bulletin of Jan. 26th and searching for "Park Pointe PUD"