Save Coal Creek Update!
City of Bellevue to Purchase Coal Creek Property
The City of Bellevue is poised to secure approval to purchase the 12-acre Coal Creek property, safeguarding a critical wildlife corridor between Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and Bellevue’s Coal Creek Natural Area. Made possible by a $9.2 million grant from the King County Conservation Futures Fund, this potential $19.1 million acquisition is a major victory in preserving the area's ecological integrity and rich mining history.
The property consists of parts of 2 parcels shown on the map above.
The acquisition follows years of advocacy by the Save Coal Creek Campaign, led by community leader Sally Lawrence, whose efforts were instrumental in raising awareness, rallying support, and building the momentum to secure this vital piece of land for public ownership. Lawrence’s unwavering dedication mobilized citizens throughout the region, demonstrating the power of grassroots activism. With broad community support, the campaign reflects a shared commitment to conserving natural spaces in Issaquah, Bellevue, and Newcastle. This success highlights the lasting impact of citizen-led engagement in safeguarding public lands for future generations.
“This effort had huge citizen interest and support,” said Sally Lawrence. “The Issaquah Alps Trails Club (IATC) got the campaign started five years ago with an online petition that eventually gathered more than 5,000 signatures. IATC supported us the whole time as we did outreach to residents, hikers, nature lovers, and salmon watchers. Many local organizations helped spread the word because the value of this property was so clear—Eastside Audubon, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Newcastle Historical Society, Trout Unlimited, to name a few. And we had a great deal of fun along the way; for example, the February 2023 March and Rally that took hikers and trail runners from Sky Country Trailhead on Cougar all the way to Newcastle Beach Park. Who would’ve thought we’d get a sunny Saturday in February with an eagle flying overhead? And finally, this great result could not have happened without the strong support of local leaders, including Mayor Lynne Robinson of Bellevue and King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Reagan Dunn. They truly made this possible.”
This achievement builds on a history of successful collaborations between the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and local conservation groups. TPL was instrumental in the acquisition of both Margaret’s Way Trail and the Bergsma Property, expanding access and conserving essential habitats across the Issaquah Alps. “The Issaquah Alps Trails Club applauds the efforts of TPL and local partners," said David Kappler, IATC Co-Founder. “The Coal Creek acquisition will ensure long-term conservation and provide new recreational opportunities.”
The City of Bellevue’s City Council will vote on this purchase at their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 10 at 6pm, as part of the agenda (Resolution 10461), further demonstrating their commitment to conserving critical lands for public use and environmental protection. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting either in person or virtually through the link below.
In person: Bellevue City Hall Council Chambers (1E-126) | 450 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Virtual: www.zoom.us | Webinar ID: 981 6779 1723, Password: 137192
Take Action Now!
To support future conservation efforts, contact advocacy@issaquahalps.org for more information on how you can get involved.