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King County Parks opens two new trails that connect Sound Transit’s Marymoor Village Station to regional trails and King County’s largest park
Summary
May 5, 2025: Two new trails in Redmond built by King County Parks offer convenient connections to Sound Transit’s Marymoor Village Station, making it safer and healthier to enjoy outdoor recreation, activities, and events.
News
King County Parks has opened two new trails in Redmond that will connect Sound Transit’s Marymoor Village Station to two regional trails and King County’s largest park, making it safer and more convenient to enjoy healthy outdoor recreation, activities, and events.
The new Marymoor Station Trail offers a direct path from the light rail station to the north end of King County’s Marymoor Park while the new Bear Creek Trail Bridge connects the nearby East Lake Sammamish Trail to the Redmond Central Connector Trail.
The primary funding source is the voter-approved King County Parks Levy along with funding from Sound Transit.
“We’re making it easier and safer to take light rail and explore King County’s largest park and our growing network of regional trails,” said King County Executive Shannon Braddock. “Our new trails not only provide scenic bike routes for commuters — they also make it possible to enjoy athletic fields, outdoor movies, and live music without the hassle of traffic or the cost of parking.”
“The trail and transit connections we are delivering with the Downtown Redmond Link Extension project will be a boon for the environment and make getting around the region easier, more convenient and more beautiful than ever,” said Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine. “This kind of collaboration between Sound Transit, King County and the City of Redmond demonstrates our shared commitment to improving mobility and quality of life for people who live, work and play here.”
The permanent Marymoor Station Trail is scheduled to be completed by the end of June. Crews installed a temporary bypass to provide uninterrupted access during Saturday’s opening celebration.
The Bear Creek Trail Bridge – just north of the new light rail station – offers a safer, quieter link between the East Lake Sammamish Trail and the Redmond Central Connector Trail, which is part of the 42-mile Eastrail. Cyclists and pedestrians no longer need to take a 0.7-mile detour that crossed 11 lanes of traffic to make it across State Route 520.
The project that installed the 230-foot-long steel trail bridge improved habitat and offers a platform where commuters and visitors can see salmon returning to spawn.
"With the opening of the Marymoor Village Station, people across our region will have a new way to connect with our regional trail system and Marymoor Park, the jewel of our regional parks system," said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. "For the first time, people will be able to take sustainable, green transit to everything Marymoor has to offer — bike trails, the bird loop, playfields, concerts, and, of course, the best dog park in the state. It’s a perfect example of how building out our transit system connects people to community and joyful experiences."
The new trails are the latest advancements by King County Parks to provide more equitable access to outdoor recreation and activities and to offer safe, healthy non-motorized transportation options that reduce carbon emissions.
The current six-year King County Parks Levy will expire at the end of the year. The King County Council recently approved a proposal by Executive Shannon Braddock to put a measure on the Aug. 5 ballot that would renew the levy for another six years.
“We're excited to have people and families take light rail and trails to enjoy healthy recreation and fun events at Marymoor Park starting this summer," said King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez. "Thanks to funding generated by the King County Parks Levy, we're able to make it safer and easier to enjoy outdoor activities year-round."
Explore multiple park amenities available near Marymoor Village Station
King County Parks employees will greet visitors Saturday at the western entrance to Marymoor Village Station during the opening celebration.
They will be available to answer questions about nearby amenities that include athletic facilities, summer concerts, outdoor movies, cultural celebrations, off-leash dog park, Cirque du Soliel performances, bike trails, the bird watch loop, velodrome, climbing wall, radio control field, playgrounds, and picnic shelters.
At 4 p.m., Beats of Washington will organize a celebratory walk from the Marymoor Village Station to the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome which will host an open house from 4 to 5 p.m.
“These newly opened trails add vital connections to the Sound Transit 2 Line, which begins serving Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village on May 10,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “The meeting of trails and transit lines shows our commitment to enhancing mobility, sustainability, and community connection, and I am grateful for our partnership with King County, which made it possible.”
Multimedia
- PHOTO GALLERY: Marymoor Park
- PHOTO GALLERY: Bear Creek Bridge added to East Lake Sammamish Trail
- VIDEO: B-roll package of Bear Creek Bridge
- STORYMAP: Progress funded by the King County Parks Levy
- TRACKS: An interactive map of environmental stewardship led by King County
Resources
Quotes
We’re making it easier and safer to take light rail and explore King County’s largest park and our growing network of regional trails. Our new trails not only provide scenic bike routes for commuters—they also make it possible to enjoy athletic fields, outdoor movies, and live music without the hassle of traffic or the cost of parking.
With the opening of the Marymoor Village Station, people across our region will have a new way to connect with our regional trail system and Marymoor Park, the jewel of our regional parks system. For the first time, people will be able to take sustainable, green transit to everything Marymoor has to offer — bike trails, the bird loop, playfields, concerts, and, of course, the best dog park in the state. It’s a perfect example of how building out our transit system connects people to community and joyful experiences.
We're excited to have people and families take light rail and trails to enjoy healthy recreation and fun events at Marymoor Park starting this summer. Thanks to funding generated by the King County Parks Levy, we're able to make it safer and easier to enjoy outdoor activities year-round.
The trail and transit connections we are delivering with the Downtown Redmond Link Extension project will be a boon for the environment and make getting around the region easier, more convenient and more beautiful than ever. This kind of collaboration between Sound Transit, King County and the City of Redmond demonstrates our shared commitment to improving mobility and quality of life for people who live, work and play here.
These newly opened trails add vital connections to the Sound Transit 2 Line, which begins serving Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village on May 10. The meeting of trails and transit lines shows our commitment to enhancing mobility, sustainability, and community connection, and I am grateful for our partnership with King County, which made it possible.
We’re excited that the new light rail station will make it easier than ever for people across the region to enjoy BECU Movies at Marymoor! This new access point allows more families and moviegoers to experience the magic of outdoor cinema under the stars, without the stress of driving or parking. We’re grateful to King County Parks and Sound Transit for making this kind of community access possible.
This short connection is a game changer for trail users in Redmond. It connects major trail segments spanning Issaquah to Woodinville, provides access to two new light rail stations, and reunifies a community split by SR 520. Trail users are no longer relegated to go around Redmond, but can safely pass right through the heart of Downtown Redmond, accessing businesses, workplaces, housing, and more.
Contact
Eleanor Lee, King County Parks, 206-477-4530