City Hall opened in a new building in 2006 and blends glass and wood into its design, providing 44,000 square feet of working and meeting space. The three-level building sits on thirty acres of what's called Sammamish Commons, a city property that includes a plaza, park, picnic areas and trails.
The building's first floor houses chambers for the seven-member council. Council members, who are elected at large, typically hold regular meetings the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm. Study sessions are scheduled for the other Tuesdays of the month, also at 6:30 pm. The top administrator is the city manager.
Sammamish 21/61 TV broadcasts council meetings on cable providers Comcast (Channel 21) and Broadstripe (Channel 61, formerly Millenium).
City Hall also is home for arts, parks and planning commission meetings, a Technology Committee and the Sammamish Youth Board. The Sammamish police officers have first-floor offices in City Hall. Sammamish contracts with the King County Sheriff's Office for police services.
While the top floor has offices, the bottom level has public parking. From mid May to late September, the plaza is the site of a Farmers Market each Wednesday. It starts in the late afternoon and ends in the evening. From Sammamish Commons, visitors can see the sunset.
The municipality takes its name from two Northwest Native American words, samena and mish, according to the King County Library System. Samena means "hunter"; mish means people.
Most municipal functions on Mercer Island are headquartered at Mercer Island's City Hall complex.
City departments reached from the main entrance include the city manager, clerk, attorney, municipal court, the finance department, development services (building and planning), and human resources.
This is the place where you can get permits for home improvements, pay a utility bill or file a police report.
The main entrance to the Police Department, which also manages the city's emergency preparedness operations, is at the south end of the building.
The city council meets regularly in its chambers at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month.
The city is run under a council-manager form of government, making the City Manager the city's top executive, advising city council on budget issues, operations and implementing local policy. He is aided by an assistant city manager, along with the city attorney and various boards and commissions.
Former home of Farmers New World Life Insurance, the offices were renovated in 1989 for government use.
Discovery Park is Seattle's largest park, a 534-acre natural area that occupies most of the former Fort Lawton site, set atop Magnolia Bluff featuring two miles of protected tidal beaches, meadows, streams, forests, sand dunes and bluffs, as well as 12 miles of walking trails and 270 species of birds. This fabulous park is popular with locals and visitors alike, ideal for anyone of any age who enjoys the outdoors. History buffs, scenery lovers, explorers and bird watchers will especially appreciate this park.
Parking and public transportation at Discovery Park
Discovery Park hosts three main parking areas, the South Parking Lot, North Parking Lot and East Parking Lot. An alternative, as lots tend to fill quickly on the weekend, is to park on one of the neighborhood streets that lead to the park. As parking lots aren't near the beach, those who are physically unable to walk the distance, are over 62 years of age, as well as families with children younger than eight years old, are eligible for a permit for beach parking, available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center Tuesday thru Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's also easy to get here by taking the Metro Transit bus, routes 19, 24 or 33 from downtown.
Best and worst time to go to Discovery Park
If you're hoping to avoid crowds, weekends during the months of June, July and August are the worst time to go to Discovery Park. While this time of year typically brings pleasant weather, if you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, visit on a week day if possible. You'll also have a good chance for sunshine and idyllic temps minus the crowds by visiting in late April through mid-May as well as mid-September through about mid-October.
Admission to Discovery Park
There are no fees to visit Discovery Park. If you're eligible for a beach parking permit, it's also free.
Must see/do at Discovery Park
This park is ideal for a picnic -– bring your lunch and enjoy the views after going for a hike. The 2.8-mile Loop Trail is suited for just about all fitness levels, an easy trek that passes through sand dunes and forests. You can also take one of the three different trails off Loop Trail to reach the beaches, Puget Sound and the lighthouse. Visiting the historic lighthouse, West Point Light, is a must too, with the grounds open to the public during regular park hours. Bird watchers may want to take one of the guided bird walks, offered at peak migration periods during the spring and fall.
Other places to visit near Discovery Park
Just a few minutes east of the park, you'll find the Ballard Locks, officially named the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, which provides a link for boats between the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal. This is a great place to watch the parade of tugs, sailboats, barges, motorboats and yachts pass through, as well as to watch salmon swim through a fish ladder. If you want to pick up some fresh seafood, the Trident Seafoods retail store is just one-tenth of a mile away and offers some great deals. The Red Mill Totem House, a locals' favorite with fantastic fish n' chips as well as burgers, is also just steps away.
Insider tips to Discovery Park
Many visitor don't realize this is one of the best places near downtown Seattle for exploring tide pools. Check the tide tables and visit the rocky shores on the north beach about one to two hours before low tide, and you'll have the chance to view sea stars, moon snails, hermit crabs and more.
Author's bio: K.C. Dermody is a travel writer living in the Seattle area with hundreds of travel articles both online and in print. She has traveled the world and is the author of 'Best Travel Guide for First Time Visitors to Ireland,' but especially loves showing off the beautiful region she resides in.
The US Army Recruiting Office is staffed with recruiters who can answer questions about serving in the armed service. It assists those interested in a military career.
