King County Parks seeks ambassadors to help look after 'Your Big Backyard'

People can spend the summer enjoying their favorite King County park or trail while helping making those places even better for visitors through a new volunteer Parks and Trails Ambassador program.

"We have developed a great system of parks and trails for everyone to enjoy, and our volunteer ambassadors will make a visit to these special places even better," said County Executive Ron Sims.

King County’s team of trained volunteers will provide parks and trails visitors with friendly and informative parks representatives to answer questions, and to ensure parks facilities are in good shape.

Volunteers will be asked to donate two hours of service per week at a designated park or trail. Ambassadors will be easily identifiable to visitors by their outdoor wear, provided by REI. They will have plenty of maps, brochures and information for visitors, and be well-versed in parks and trails etiquette.

Three public open houses are set for June 27, 28 and 29, to honor current volunteers, and to provide more information about the new Parks and Trails Ambassador Program.

The schedule is:

• June 27 – REI, South Room - 222 Yale Avenue North., Seattle;
• June 28 – Marymoor Park, Clise Mansion - 6046 West Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast, Redmond;
• June 29 – Weyerhaeuser-King County Aquatic Center – 650 Southwest Campus Drive, Federal Way

Open houses are scheduled to run from 6:30-8 p.m., and will feature remarks by King County Parks Director Kevin Brown and members of the Metropolitan King County Council, plus an overview of the Parks and Trails Ambassador Program.

More information about King County Parks volunteer opportunities is available at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/stewardship/ on the Internet.

King County Parks looks after "Your Big Backyard" – more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs.