Dear Parks Supporter:
King County Executive Ron Sims announced plans to create "the granddaddy of regional trails" and an "immense King County legacy" by entering into negotiations to acquire the 47-mile Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) eastside rail corridor.
Sims said the trail, extending from the City of Renton to the City of Snohomish, could be four times the length of the 11-mile East Lake Sammamish Trail, dwarf the 27-mile Burke Gilman Trail, and serve as "the backbone to the finest regional trail network in the nation."
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get this line into public ownership. Future generations are depending on us to seize it," said Sims, who pledged to increase the regional trail system by 125 miles in his State of the County speech earlier this year. "Imagine the drop in our regional quality of life if past leaders had rejected the vision of preserving the corridor that is now the Burke Gilman Trail."
Sims said King County has signed an exclusive agreement to negotiate acquisition with BNSF for four months. The county has $3.5 million on the table as "earnest money" that would go toward the costs of acquisition and nearly all of which it would retain if a deal cannot be worked out.
King County Councilmember Carolyn Edmonds said acquisition of the line would be a "dream come true for eastside residents" and that she would work to ensure legislation moves expeditiously through council.
"This magnificent opportunity builds on the vision of our Parks Business Plan for King County. It will expand the regional trails system and make it the best in the nation," Edmonds said. "With this line, citizens in the north and eastside will enjoy wonderful trails that link them to endless possibilities for recreation, healthy lifestyles and alternative transportation."
King County Councilmember Larry Phillips said public polling conducted in 2003 showed the regional trail system had the highest support of any single component of the park system.
"This is truly an astounding opportunity for the region - to have access to such a beautiful corridor right through the eastside's most populated areas, and intersecting with nearly all our major trails," said Phillips. "No other urban area in the country will have anything like it."
Sims said its possible sections of the corridor could see mixed use such as a trail and light rail, but that he wants to make certain the corridor always accommodates a public trail.
"That's why it is critical that this corridor is owned by the public," he said. "No decisions about the use of the line will be made without a full and thorough regional discussion that involves all affected cities and parties. But that can only happen if we get this into public ownership. Without this action, a private entity could buy it tomorrow and we would have no control over the future of the line."
Rail freight traffic on the line is light and slowly declining. BNSF had approached the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in the fall of 2003 regarding the possible purchase of the rail corridor. On WSDOT's request, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PRSC) agreed in January 2004 to lead an evaluation of the benefits of preservation or purchase of the corridor. It was PRSC, with Cascade Land Conservancy and environmental attorney Peter Goldman, who brought the trail preservation possibility to King County last winter.
The BNSF railroad right of way is a contiguous property approximately 100 feet wide that stretches from the north end of Renton into the City of Snohomish.
King County Parks' Focus on Trails: let us know what you think!
King County Parks has embraced extraordinary change and innovation over the past few years. A major funding crisis came to a head for Parks in 2002 and presented King County Parks the opportunity to refocus with an emphasis on things we do best, including regional trails. Public polling conducted in 2003 showed our regional trail system had the highest support of any single component of the park system. Since 2002, we have integrated a tremendous number of new business practices and efficiencies based on the blueprint of the Parks Business Plan.
The King County regional trail system will continue to play a vital role in Parks' future growth. Let us know what you think about the regional trails focus of our business plan by emailing King County Trail Coordinator: robert.foxworthy@kingcounty.gov
