New trail links popular regional trails, offers easy access to King County’s Marymoor Park
At just one and a half miles in length, the new Marymoor Connector Trail is only a small fraction of King County’s 175-mile regional trail system.But the recently completed trail, which runs through the county’s Marymoor Park at the north end of Lake Sammamish, creates a safe and convenient link for cyclists, joggers, walkers and other trail users to long stretches of King County’s most-popular regional trails.
“Trails play an important role in helping people get exercise by providing a safe and welcoming environment to recreate, run errands and commute,” said King County Councilmember Jane Hague, who participated in the celebration of the connector trail’s completion.
The connector joins the Burke Gilman and Sammamish River Trails with the East Lake Sammamish Trail – effectively joining eight cities, including Seattle, Bothell, Woodinville, Redmond, Sammamish and Issaquah and the Mountains to Sound Greenway – a 44-mile-long trail corridor.
“With the Marymoor Connector Trail in place, it’s now possible to walk or ride from the shores of Puget Sound to the Cascade Foothills along a safe, dedicated trail,” said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown.
“As it runs through one of our most-popular parks, this trail also improves safety for pedestrians and the thousands of others who come to Marymoor Park every week.”
The connector trail, which cost $2.9 million and was built in part with funds generated by the voter-approved 2007 King County Parks Expansion Levy, also aids the county’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Transportation is a top greenhouse-gas contributor in our region. Cars, trucks and other vehicles generate half of all the greenhouse-gas emissions in the greater Puget Sound area,” said Theresa Jennings, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Director.
“King County’s regional trail system links cities, communities, parks and scenic resources and encourages use for commuting to work, school and to recreational activities, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and relieving traffic congestion,” Jennings said.
Trails also provide a safe and convenient place to get exercise – a critical component to the health and well-being of King County residents.
The trail includes many of the latest trail design components to improve user safety and convenience, such as a wider cross-section and smoother pavement, improved driveway and street crossings, improved signage and landscaping.
These same features will also be used in the upcoming redevelopment of the Burke-Gilman Trail and new paved “Master Planned” East Lake Sammamish Trail, both set for construction later this year.
Lead design, permitting and construction supervision services on the project were provided by Parametrix. The new trail’s landscape planning, design and installation was completed in-house by Parks Division staff.
The trail also gives community members and parks supporters the opportunity to give back to King County by donating a bench or tree along the trail. The King County Parks Legacy Fund lets people make tax-deductible donations that go toward the long-term health and protection of parks in King County. Information about the Parks Legacy Fund is available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/legacy.aspx.
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King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.
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King County Parks - Your Big Backyard