Stay close to home for summer fun in King County Parks - Your Big Backyard

In a time of record high gas prices and air fares, King County Parks offers plenty of activities close to home that can make for memorable summer fun.

Get active, explore and play in King County Parks all summer long. Whether it’s cooling off at one of four swimming pools, participating in a trail run at the 3,000-acre Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, or attending an open-air concert or movie at Marymoor Park, King County offers lots of fun activities for the whole family.

Here’s a partial list of what’s happening in June and July at King County Parks – Your Big Backyard:

Marymoor Park

Series starts June 5
Concerts at Marymoor

Listen to some of your favorite artists at Marymoor Park – one of the most-popular open-air venues around. The concert series gets under way June 5 with a performance by Erykah Badu and The Roots. Upcoming concerts also include 107.7 The End’s Summer Camp II on June 14, and the KISS 106.1 Big Freakin’ Deal on June 28. For all the details, including additional concerts and ticket information, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/marymoor/concerts-marymoor.html.

May 12-Sept. 12
Monday, Wednesday and Friday night racing at the Marymoor Velodrome

Enjoy an exciting bicycle race at the Velodrome, presented by Group Health. Races are Monday and Friday nights beginning May 12 and Wednesdays starting May 28. Spectator admission is free. Racing starts at 7 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, visit http://velodrome.org/cms/.

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

June 14, July 12, Aug. 9
Cougar Mountain Running Series

Compete in the sixth-annual Cougar Mountain trail running series, featuring a seven-mile race on June 14. Additional races follow July 12 with a 10-miler and a 13-mile race on Aug. 9. The registration and start will be at the Sky Country trailhead. Cost is $25 per race ($30 for day-of-race registration). For all the details, visit http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html.

Swimming Pools

Escape the hot summer days and take a refreshing splash in one of King County’s four swimming pools. Choose from two indoor pools, including the Weyerhaeuser-King County Aquatic Center, and two outdoor pools, which offer 25-yard lap lanes, public programs, and lessons for participants from infants through seniors. For more information on schedules, lessons and pool facilities visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/pools/#.

Enumclaw Expo Center

July 18-20
King County 4-H/FFA Agricultural Fair

It’s not summer in King County without a trip to Enumclaw for the King County 4-H/FFA Agricultural Fair – the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi. There’s plenty to see, do and eat at the fair, July 18-20 at the Enumclaw Expo Center. With a theme of “Grow It, Show It, Know It,” this year’s fair will feature agricultural displays on topics such as sustainable farming, recycling and alternative fuels. There’s great fair food, including hamburgers, hotdogs, ice cream and scones. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/fair/.

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King County Parks – Your Big Backyard – offers 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. Learn more at http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/.

Related Information

King County Parks – Your Big Backyard