King County adds to regional trail system by finishing new portion of Soos Creek Trail

The best regional trail system in the nation is getting a little better – and a little longer, too, as King County completes a new stretch of the Soos Creek Regional Trail near Kent.

More than a mile of new trail will be ready for public use by Aug. 1 – and it has been no ordinary construction project, said John McCarthy, King County Parks project manager.

More than half of the new trail's length was built on an innovative elevated deck atop steel pilings to protect wetlands and not interfere with wildlife.

"Designing and building this latest portion of the trail provided a few engineering challenges, including protecting wetlands and building a 12-foot-wide trail in an 18-foot-wide right-of-way that runs along the side of hills, over ravines and around mature trees," McCarthy said.
 
The trail was built to the same high standards as the other 175 miles of King County's regional trail system, and includes a new elevated design that leaves an imprint of less than 60 square inches per 20 feet of trail. The cost to complete the latest section of trail from Southeast 204th Way to Southeast 192nd Street was $2.4 million.

The entire Soos Creek Regional Trail winds through five miles of a beautiful countryside setting – including unique wetland vegetation and wildlife habitat. Paved with a soft shoulder, including a separate soft surface trail for equestrians from Southeast 208th Street to the south, the trail features a gentle grade in a natural setting suitable for walking, cycling and horseback riding.

Access points to the trail include Gary Grant Park, Southeast 208th and 137th Avenue Southeast; the Soos Creek Trailhead, at 145th Avenue Southeast between Southeast 240th Street and Southeast 256th Street; and the Soos Creek South Trailhead at 152nd Way Southeast. A connection to the nine-mile-long unpaved Lake Youngs Trail can be made along Southeast 216th Street corridor.

The trail is open to all non-motorized uses. While completely paved, there are some grades along the trail that do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for wheelchair use.

More information on the Soos Creek Regional Trail and King County's regional trail system is available at www.metrokc.gov/Parks/Trails/sooscreek.html on the Internet.

King County Parks – "Your Big Backyard" features 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. Visit our Web site at www.metrokc.gov/parks/.