Big Rock Park Central is Open

Big Rock Park Central is the second parcel of land gifted to the City by Mary Pigott. It is just south of Big Rock Park North’s 15 acres which opened in 2016. The addition of Big Rock Park Central provides 20 acres of land covered with dense forest, open meadows, and a stream in the north section. The park is enhanced by 1.5 miles of meandering trails navigating through the property and connecting to Big Rock Park North. The two parks now boast 3 miles of trails to explore! Big Rock Park Central also hosts several unique features such as the historic Reard House, the Heritage Garden and The Treehouse.

The Historic Reard House
The Sammamish Heritage Society has led restoration work on the Reard House, a local 19th century farmhouse and is in the final stages of interior renovation work. The goal is to open this historic house to the public and engage the community in local history while allowing a glimpse into the past through exhibits and displays. For more information on the history of this house, please visit the Sammamish Heritage Society website here: https://sammamishheritage.org/about/.

The Heritage Garden
The Heritage Garden was built in partnership with the Sammamish Botanical Garden Society (SBGS) and will be open during regular park hours. The 6,000 square foot garden was built by the City; the SBGS led the design and planting of the garden and will also lead volunteer efforts to maintain the garden. The garden showcases heirloom plants collected by the SBGS. For more information about the garden, please visit the SBGS website here: https://www.sammamishbotanical.org/projects.

The Treehouse
The Treehouse was built by Mary Pigott for her grandkids who enjoyed many hours in the scenic perch above the meadow. It was constructed around four existing landmark western red cedars and showcases some unique repurposed materials, like ski rope handrails and windows from Mary’s old barn. To protect the health of the trees and to preserve the integrity of The Treehouse, it will be opened for visitors four times per month from March to October. Dates and times for reservations will be posted on the park’s webpage here: Big Rock Park Treehouse, and at the park kiosk.

Special Acknowledgments of Thanks

• Mary Pigott for donating the land to City of Sammamish and having the vision of preserving land for an entire community to enjoy
• Sammamish City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission (past and present) for their vision and support of this project
• KPG Interdisciplinary Design for design, permitting, and construction management
• Active Construction Inc for constructing the improvements
• Public Restroom Company for supplying and installing the restroom building
• Tree Solutions for arborist assessments and recommendations
• Watershed Company for critical area study and environmental support
• Kleinfelder Inc for geotechnical support during design
• Sammamish Botanical Garden Society for their partnership in bringing a heritage garden to fruition
• Sammamish Heritage Society for their ongoing preservation and renovation efforts of the Reard House to provide a place for community to learn about our local history
• Neighbors for their patience as we completed these improvements
• Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department:
  • Leadership team for their support through the different steps of this project
  • Planning team for oversight through design, permitting, construction, wayfinding and signage, and maintenance coordination
  • Special thank you to the City’s maintenance crew for all their work in installing stairway on 221st, designing and installing the trail connection between BRP North and Central, resurfacing nearly 1.5 miles of trails, preparing the heritage garden for planting, installing all the park signage, irrigation and planting around the treehouse, and much more

For more information along with directions and site map, visit Big Rock Park Central webpage.