Honoring Milt Swanson: Celebrating His Coal Creek Legacy
Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
By Elaine Duncan, Save Coal Creek Steering Committee Member
On Saturday, March 28th, the Save Coal Creek Steering Committee held its third annual birthday party for Milt Swanson, handing out slices of cake and scavenger hunt clues to hikers at King County Parks’ Red Town Trailhead. Milt, who would have been 108, spent much of his life living across the street on property acquired by the City of Bellevue just over a year ago as part of its Coal Creek Natural Area.
David Kappler, founding member of Issaquah Alps Trails Club. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Sally Lawrence, head of Save Coal Creek Campaign. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Milt, the third generation in his family to work for local coal mining companies, was an avid historian and collector of mining tools and artifacts. He stored these in his old chicken coop for years before donating them to the Newcastle Historical Society (NHS), which he founded. Several speakers, including Russ Segner from NHS and Steve Baima, a member of NHS and preservationist at the Newcastle Cemetery, recalled his fascinating life and significant contributions to local history. Members of Milt’s extended family attending the event this year (his younger sister, Ruth Parrott, attended last year but has since passed) included his nephew Craig Parrott and wife Anna, and Milt’s great nephews Brian and Martin Wick, who shared stories of the fun they had visiting “Uncle Milt” as children and riding an orange go-kart that he had built all over the hilly property. That very go-kart, built from excess Boeing materials, is now one of the artifacts preserved by NHS!
Brian and Martin Wick, Milt Swanson’s great nephews. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Artifacts from Milt Swanson’s estate. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Craig Parrott, Milt Swanson’s nephew. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Curtis Kukal, the Bellevue Parks ranger at Lewis Creek Park, noted progress to date cleaning up the property and highlighted ongoing improvements:
Old fencing along the road has been removed and replaced with wildlife-permeable post-and-rail fencing.
Dense Scotch broom and blackberry thickets have been treated, and as noxious weed removal continues, trash and other hazardous material found on site will continue to be removed.
The Washington Conservation Corps is studying site conditions and has identified active populations of deer, coyotes, and black bears.
Derelict structures on site are slated for removal in 2026. Once cleanup is complete, the Natural Resource Division will explore opportunities for hosting volunteers.
Construction of a trail and bridge from Coal Creek Trail to a Forest Ridge neighborhood is scheduled to start this spring.
Last but not least, this year the Transportation Department will install signs and flashing beacons to make crossing Lakemont Boulevard between the county and city parks safer.
Russ Segner, Newcastle Historical Society. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Bellevue Parks Ranger Curtis Kukal. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Steve Baima, Newcastle Historical Society and preservation at the Newcastle Cemetary. Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Save Coal Creek started this event two years ago to draw attention to the impending development of the Swanson property and now plans to continue the annual celebration to update people on park development. Speaking about the park, one of Milt’s great nephews said, “We’re glad Milt’s property is back where he wanted it to be and where it belongs.”
Birthday Party Attendees:
(L to R): David Kappler, Mike Intlekofer, Russ Segner, Brian Wick (Milt's great-nephew), Sun Burford (City of Newcastle councilmember), Anna Parrott (wife of Craig), life-size photo of Milt Swanson, Craig Parrott (Milt's nephew), Martin Wick (also a great-nephew of Milt), Steve Baima, Lorraine Morton (niece of Milt).
Photo courtesy of Russ Segner.
Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Photo courtesy of Tom Anderson.
Tom Anderson and Sasquatch enjoying the sunshine during the day’s festivities.
Learn more about the history of the Save Coal Creek campaign here.