Executive Summary
The 418-acre Three Forks Natural Area is located in rural eastern King County at the confluence of the three forks of the Snoqualmie River, the largest river system in King County. Three Forks Natural Area includes over five miles of riverfront and is dominated by riverine and riparian habitat. It is also significantly located between and near large blocks of undeveloped land including Mount Si Natural Resource Conservation Area (8,041 acres), Weyerhaeuser's Snoqualmie Tree Farm (180,000 acres), the Cedar River Watershed (90,000+-acres), and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (1.7 million acres). For these reasons Three Forks Natural Area serves as a sanctuary and corridor for a broad range of wildlife including black bear, elk, cougar, eagle, deer, and river otter. Three Forks Natural Area also plays a role in providing recreation opportunities for local and regional visitors. Larger natural recreation areas such as Mount Si and Rattlesnake Lake Scenic Area are near by and regional trails converge on and near the site including the Snoqualmie Valley Trail Extension, which runs directly through the western portion of the park.
Using King County Park Plan land use classification system, the site is separated into park use areas which define the appropriate level and type of use for various portions of the site. The park use areas for Three Forks Natural Area include 1) natural areas, 2) passive recreation areas, 3) staging areas (parking), and 4) special management areas (agricultural use and habitat preservation areas). The following goals were used to establish these park use areas and to plan for the balanced use and management of this park:
- Conserve, protect and restore the natural systems on site for wildlife habitat
- Preserve and highlight the natural and cultural environment for educational purposes
- Allow for appropriate low impact recreational uses
- Accommodate regional trails system
- Recognize connection with surrounding public lands
- Preserve rural character of property to blend in with surrounding community
The master plan for Three Forks Natural Area incorporates these goals by recommending the following major planning and design elements:
- Limit public access to those portions of the park that are already in use and impacted by the public - primarily on the north side of the river.
- Maintain 300' wildlife habitat corridor on south side of river and limit public use of southern portion of the site.
- Provide in-park and on-road trail system to connect east and west portions of park property.
- Provide and coordinate interpretive effort with surrounding publicly owned sites of interest.
- Use split rail fence throughout the Natural Area and along Reinig Road as unifying design element.
- Provide limited (and some seasonal) parking and restroom areas at key locations around park.
- Coordinate with Meadowbrook Farm and the City of Snoqualmie for parking and restrroom at west end.
- Connect Snoqualmie Valley Trail Extension to Reinig Road on the north side of Meadowbrook Bridge and pursue future connection with the Snoqualmie Valley Trail to the north.
- Continue use of hay fields ("greenchop" areas).
- Pursue future property acquisitions to provide completeness and connectivity throughout natural area; to provide appropriate access opportunities; and to preserve the riparian and riverine sytems.
Review of the Master Plan
The Three Forks Master Plan was approved by the Metropolitan King County Council on May 15, 2001.
The Three Forks Master Plan is available for viewing at the following locations:
To arrange to purchase a copy of the plan please contact Kelly Donahue at (206) 296-4152.
Phase One
King County is currently designing and number of improvements for Three Forks Natural area as outlined in the
park Master Plan approved by the King County Council. The Three Forks Natural Area Master Plan calls for construction of
a grass/gravel parking lot, trailhead, loop trail, interpretive signs, and seasonal restroom at the Old School Site,
which is located at the corner of Reinig Road and 428th Avenue Southeast. For Phase One Old School Site Concept Plan click here.
Have questions?
If you have any questions, concerns or require additional information about the Three Forks Natural Area, please contact
Kelly Donahue, Project Manager, King County
Department of Construction & Facilities Management at (206) 296-4152.
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Three Forks Natural Area
Three Forks Natural Area east towards Mt. Si. Meadowbrook Railroad Bridge and present northern terminus of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail extension in the foreground.
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Reinig Road
The view looking east along Reinig Road.
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"Greenchop"
Agriculture Special Management Area, "greenchop" hay production.
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Snoqualmie River, Mid-Fork
The view upstream on the Mid-Fork of the Snoqualmie River, East of Norman Bridge.
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