As proposed, it realizes our long term goal of providing the public with recreational trails and alternative transportation opportunities, said Sims. The plan fulfills the responsibility to protect natural resources while minimizing impacts to neighboring property owners from the public use and enjoyment of the railbed corridor. Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Jane Hague and Larry Phillips sponsored the interim use proposal before the Council today. As an active biker and user of all our regional recreational trails, I can vouch for the demand for this important Eastside trail connection, said Councilmember Hague. Councilmember Larry Phillips, chair of the Natural Resources, Parks and Open Space Committee added, County residents purchased the railbed for the express purpose of constructing a recreational trail.
Residents are now one step closer to seeing a return on their investment.
When opened, the trail will provide healthy outdoor recreational activities for families young and old, particularly on the Eastside. The East Lake Sammamish Trail was first identified in an adopted county plan in 1971. We have had an expansive and inclusive public process to discuss our proposed plan, said Sims. The public involvement process included conducting public meetings and workshops, a public hearing, an informational open house, establishment of a Citizens Advisory group, distribution of two newsletters to 2,500 people, a web page with an email response link and a telephone hotline posted on 50 signs along the trail. More than 600 people attended our meetings, and we gathered more than 800 comments which have been included in our report.