Sims predicts East Lake Sammamish Trail will become cherished regional treasure

Trail officially opens to public, offering a scenic, safe route through region

Pictured cutting the ribbon are, from left, Gene Duvernoy, Cascade Land Conservancy; Ron Sims, King County Executive; Larry Phillips, King County Councilmember; Peter Goldman, Washington Forest Law Center; Michele Petitti, Mayor of Sammamish; and Mark Cross, Deputy Mayor of Sammamish

With the snip of a ribbon today, King County Executive Ron Sims officially opened the entire length of the East Lake Sammamish Trail for public use. The 11-mile trail links the cities of Issaquah, Sammamish and Redmond, and ties in to King County's vast public access system for cyclists, walkers and runners.

"Trails provide so many positive public benefits as pathways to better health, and for transportation," Sims said. "The East Lake Sammamish Trail will remain a magnificent asset to the community for decades to come."

Sims was joined by city leaders, community supporters and non-profit groups that worked together with King County to see the trail project through to completion.

The dedication ceremony caps more than five years of detailed environmental review, public debate, litigation and construction for the trail, which was built along a railroad corridor that was purchased by King County in 1998.

"It's taken a while to reach this point, but I think our community is really going to embrace this wonderful trail," said Michele Petitti, the Mayor of Sammamish. "In a few years, I don't think anyone will even remember the fight."

Completion of the East Lake Sammamish Trail provides users with 40 miles of continuous non-motorized trail, stretching from Ballard to Issaquah. King County has invested more than $20 million to acquire, develop and restore a system of 157 miles of trails -- a model for the nation. The long-term plan calls to bring that total up to more than 300 miles of trails linking communities throughout King County.

The interim trail features split rail fencing, signage, litter stations, pet waste bags and temporary restrooms. The trail surface is constructed of compacted gravel atop the existing rail bed and is not appropriate for thin tired road bikes or inline skates.

The final paved trail will be constructed when a master plan is adopted by the Metropolitan King County Council and all relevant permits obtained. The Master Plan is expected to be submitted to the county council in 2006.

In 1998, King County purchased the 11-mile East Lake Sammamish rail banked corridor for $2.9 million from the Lands Conservancy of King County and Seattle (now Cascade Land Conservancy), which had preserved the option for public ownership of the trail when it stepped up to purchase the rail corridor from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

In 2000, the County Council unanimously approved a plan for interim use of the trail. Trail construction began last year along the right of way at a cost of $1.6 million, with $900,000 coming from federal transportation funds, and the remainder from real estate excise taxes set aside for parks and recreation.

"Completing the interim East Lake Sammamish Trail is a wonderful achievement, but we're nowhere near done improving on what is already regarded as one of the best public trail systems in the nation," Sims said.

King County is currently working to preserve the 47-mile-long Eastside Rail Corridor, which stretches from Renton to Snohomish. The corridor's owners are attempting to sell the property, and Sims has expressed interest in acquiring the land for public use, including a possible trail that would link a number of urban communities.