When an opportunity presents itself, and money’s not an issue, go for it.

That’s exactly what Sammamish Parks and Recreation team did when the volunteer-driven Washington Trails Association said they had an opening in their spring calendar.

“They had some extra hours; we have some extra work,” Parks Director Jessi Bon said at the April 21 city council meeting. “They’re going to continue working on the hillside trails at Evans Creek Preserve.”

The council approved the additional $3,900 needed to add six additional work parties, or 600 volunteer hours, to the hillside trial work at Evans Creek Preserve. Work began this month.

In total, the project costs $22,100 and will require an estimated 3,000 volunteer hours. The original contract allotted for 24 worksites.

“We have more trails completed than I ever envisioned at this stage of the game at Evans Creek Preserve,” Bon said.

She credited the volunteers, many of whom are currently or were formally on the city’s parks commission, and their efforts constructing  along the steep hillside.

The city did not anticipate volunteers would be able to complete the second loop this year; it would be constructed by city volunteers in 2016.

With this additional work, volunteers will finish the entire system within the year.

The hillside trails are located on the southern slopes of the preserve. This section of the work requires the close attention of WTA staff, as it requires design and technical expertise to ensure safe pedestrian access along the steep path.

The WTA has built about 1 mile of new trials and constructed a bridge, as well as several trial support structures, to date. This is in addition to the 2.5 miles of trails constructed during the first phase of development.

“This place has been a godsend for me,” long-time Sammamish resident Shira Paul said of the preserve.

Paul visits the preserve several times a week with her dog, Peetee, and is happy to hear the city will continue to develop the trail system.

“It’s magical here,” she said.