Penultimate section of the E Lake Sammamish Trail opens today

"South Sammamish A" opens today.

A hard-fought, 1.2-mile section of the E Lake Sammamish Trail finally opens today after more than a year of construction and many, many years of planning and advocacy.

King County Parks is hosting an opening celebration at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday), after which the trail will be only one segment away from linking Issaquah and Redmond.

The newest 1.2 miles ("South Sammamish A") connects to the existing section into Issaquah. It doesn't make many new major connections, but it's one vital step closer to a completed trail.

The final and most hotly-contested section ("South Sammamish B") is still making its way through legal challenges.

With the 520 Bridge Trail now open, the Eastside Trail under construction and the E Lake Sammamish Trail slowly rolling out, the region's trail system is in the midst of a serious expansion phase. But this work isn't happening by accident. Advocates, neighbors and public servants have been working on these projects for a very long time.

Details on the opening celebration, from King County (RSVP):

Join us on Wednesday, January 17 at 2 p.m. as we celebrate the grand opening of this 1.2-mile-long segment of the East Lake Sammamish Trail!

After a brief ribbon cutting ceremony and award presentation, we will have family-friend trailside activities, hot beverages, and light snacks - all courtesy of King County Parks. And for those of you who ride bicycles, Cascade Bicycle Club will be on hand with their mobile tune-up station.

When: Wednesday, Jan 17 from 2 - 4 p.m.
Where: Trail Plaza at SE 33rd St
Parking: Lake Sammamish State Park Boat Launch (shuttle available to event)