SNOQUALMIE VALLEY – The Snoqualmie Tribe may be taking over some King County parks in the Snoqualmie Valley as part of the county’s efforts to reduce costs.

Last fall the Tribe approached the county about the possibility of acquiring the Tolt-MacDonald Park just outside of Carnation and the Fall City Park on the north bank of the Snoqualmie River. Snoqualmie Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson said both of the sites have cultural and historical significance to the Tribe.

“We think it would be an interesting way to repatriate the area,” Mattson said.

Mattson said tribal artifacts were found at the Fall City Park two years ago when the county was trying to build ball fields there and that the Tolt-MacDonald Park at the confluence of the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers was the historical nexus of tribal life.

“That was the heart of the Snoqualmie Tribe,” he said.

The plan was well received by the county, which has been trying to cut costs to help reduce its proposed budget deficit. The 27-acre Fall City Park costs the county $30,172 a year to maintain, and the 450-acre Tolt-MacDonald Park costs $153,053 a year to maintain.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record