Big Rock Park North

In 2010, Mary Pigott gifted three parcels located in the center of the city (Big Rock Park North, Central and South) totaling 51 acres to the City of Sammamish as part of a phased land donation agreement. The agreement between Ms. Pigott and the City of Sammamish states that the properties will be used as a park, now called Big Rock Park, for the benefit of the community. The City and Ms. Pigott envision a park facilitating a variety of low impact active and passive activities that may include nature trails, open space and passive sport meadows.

Big Rock Park North, the first parcel of three, was transferred in early 2011. Shortly after the “soft opening” of Big Rock Park in 2011, the Park Planning team began work on the master plan for Big Rock Park North and Central. Over a year of site reconnaissance, studies, an extensive public process, a public park naming contest, concept development and refinement were completed and incorporated into the preferred alternative for Big Rock Park which was adopted by City Council in July 2014.

Phase I development of Big Rock Park North is located on the northern boundary of the site, adjacent to SE 8^th Street. Design development began in December 2014 and construction concluded in early 2016. Phase I development features a park entrance, parking, boardwalk, zipline, boulder climb, hillside slide, earth mound tunnel and plaza overlooking a newly restored meadow.

Big Rock Park Central

Big Rock Park Central, the second parcel of three, was transferred to the City in January 2017. The 20 acres that make up the site include dense forest cover, meandering trails that navigate through varying topography and open meadows. Buildings on the site include a single family home, detached garage, sauna and the historic Reard-Freed House. After completion of the master plan and prior to transferring to the City, Mary Pigott added a significant, custom-built tree house to the site.

The Reard-Freed House was relocated to Big Rock Park Central in 2012. The house was donated to the City in 2001 and became the first building in Sammamish to be listed on the King County Historic Resource Inventory as a registered landmark. The house is currently undergoing renovations that have been led by local non-profit organization, the Sammamish Heritage Society. No further work on the Reard-Freed house is anticipated at this time.

Big Rock Park South

Big Rock Park South, the third and final parcel, is currently the private property and residence of Ms. Pigott and will continue as such for the foreseeable future.

The preferred alternative for the Big Rock Park Master Plan was developed after more than two years of public process, plan development and refinement. The final plan, adopted at the July 8, 2014 City Council meeting, highlights the natural beauty of the park while expanding opportunities for passive recreation and environmental and heritage education.