Biohazard Cleanup Near Maple Downs Maple Valley, WA

Maple Valley is a city in southeast King County, in the Cedar River valley roughly 28 miles southeast of Seattle, that grew from a rural coal and lumber community into one of the Seattle area's fastest-growing suburbs.

The area was first settled in 1879 by three men who were improving a trail through the valley and brought their families to join them.

Maple Valley's early economy rested on coal from the Cedar Mountain mines, lumber milling and the railroad that ran through town.

The city of Maple Valley was officially incorporated on August 31, 1997, making it one of King County's youngest cities.

Maple Valley had a population of 28,013 at the 2020 census, up from 22,684 in 2010, and more than four times the roughly 6,660 people counted in the area in 1990.

Four Corners, the junction of State Route 169 and State Route 516, remains the city's historic commercial crossroads.

Lake Wilderness Park, the city's signature park, occupies the former Gaffney's Grove resort, which opened in the 1920s with a ballroom, restaurant and roller rink when Lake Wilderness was a popular resort lake for Seattle residents; the park today offers a swimming beach, lawns and the Lake Wilderness Arboretum.

The park also preserves Lake Wilderness Lodge, a King County landmark built in 1950 by the Gaffney family during the resort era.

The Green to Cedar Rivers Trail runs through the city along the old rail corridor, passing the Lake Wilderness park site.

Maple Valley is served by the Tahoma School District, whose first high school building, erected in 1929, still stands today in use as an elementary school; students now attend Tahoma High School.