Title
Olympia Woodland Trail Phase IV Alternatives Analysis Study
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive and discuss report. No formal action requested.
Report
Issue:
Phase IV of the Olympia Woodland Trail is a critical section that will link Olympia to Tumwater. The section is complicated and expensive given topographic constraints, railroad crossings, pending commercial developments and environmental concerns. The Phase IV Feasibility Study provides an assessment of the challenges, opportunities and alternative routes for the future design and construction for this section of trail.
Staff Contact:
David Hanna, Associate Director, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8020
Kip Summers, Project Engineer, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.570.5834
Presenter(s):
David Hanna, Associate Director
Scott Sawyer, Project Manager, SCJ Alliance
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Woodland Trail was conceived in 1989 by Jim and Carol Rainwood. They brought forward an exciting vision of utilizing an abandoned railroad for an urban bike and pedestrian trail that would connect Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. The trail proposal was included in The Railroad Right of Way Strategy Report and the Cities of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater Urban Trails Plan prepared by the Thurston Regional Planning Council in 1990 and 1993 respectively. In December 2007, the Thurston Regional Planning Council published the Thurston Regional Trails Plan which also includes the Woodland Trail-Olympia and Woodland Trail-Lacey. The Olympia Woodland Trail is an important link of a regional trail network that connects Olympia to Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm and Tenino.
The Rainwood vision evolved into a collaborative partnership between a newly formed Olympia Woodland Trail Greenway Association and then Olympia Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. In 1990, City Council approved funds for a matchi...
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