Restoration Site at Evans Creek Preserve
4001 224TH AVE NE, REDMOND
The trailhead at this parking lot provides the best access to the restoration site.
Hours
6:30 am–dusk from April–September
7:30 am–dusk from October–March
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Restrooms are located in the parking lot.
About Evans Creek Preserve
The land of the Coast Salish people that is now Evans Creek Preserve was settled and farmed by Calvin & Minnie Galley beginning around 1900. Upon the death of the last of their family, it was willed to several organizations who then sold the farmstead to the City of Sammamish in 2000.
Evans Creek Preserve is now a 213-acre area that offers wildflower meadows, wetlands, wildlife, forested uplands, 3.5 miles of pedestrian-only loop trails and precious respite from the noise and bustle of everyday urban living. Two special features are a boardwalk through a large community of swamp lanterns and a stunning meadow of lupines.
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In 2019, the City of Sammamish partnered with Washington Native Plant Society to train Master Native Plant Stewards. In return for the training, Stewards have been doing ecological restoration on a 1-acre site at Evans Creek Preserve between signposts 2 & 3. From 2019–2022, we removed invasive plants, such as Himalayan and evergreen blackberries, English hollies, and English hawthorn—and planted over 1800 diverse species of native trees, shrubs, and forbs, as well as a pollinator garden.
Resources for Your Visit
Click this trail map for a full-size printable trail map.
About the Stewards' Project
Our restoration project started in December 2019 with work parties that included community volunteers as well as Stewards. Despite discouraging closures due to snow, flooding, and Covid in 2020, a diminished group of Stewards doggedly held small Steward-only work parties once they were permitted by the City of Sammamish.​
Thankfully, a couple dedicated community volunteers joined our team and we were able install several waves of native plants as we cleared out more areas of invasives.
The project fostered camaraderie and a sense of purpose through Covid Times. Returning to work at the same site with like-minded new friends developed a feeling of ownership for our site and a love for the gem that is Evans Creek Preserve.
But our work isn’t done. To be successful, a restoration site needs to be maintained.
Volunteer Opportunity
We are seeking volunteers to help with the ongoing maintenance of the restoration site. During the summer, volunteers help with watering new plants until they become established. Throughout the year, weeding is necessary to keep Himalayan blackberries and other noxious weeds at bay. This project provides an opportunity to learn about the importance and beauty of native plants, which ones succeed best, and how to identify noxious weeds.
For members: Volunteer opportunities open to members of Sammamish Stewards are listed in the Members Area page of this website. If you are not yet a member, you can join by using the Join Us link at the top of this page. Once you are a member, go to the Members Area page, and look for the entry for this project.
For the public: Learn about volunteer events open to the public by going to Sammamish Galaxy Digital. When you create an account (click the “Sign Up” button at the top right of the page), you will be notified of new volunteer events