Lacey Burlington Northern Trail Land Acq

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Category Overview

Trails grants help communities and recreation areas fund the creation and improvement of trails for walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. These grants help make communities more livable, create regional trails systems, and open up beautiful outdoor spaces for people to enjoy. WWRP is the largest source of trail support in the state of Washington.

Project Highlights

This project is to purchase a small piece of land that links the east and west portions of the Burlington Northern rail line that runs through Lacey. The City of Lacey will acquire approximately 3.16 miles through railbanking. This project will acquire the .3 mile gap between the railbanked segments. If this project is successful and the land can be purchased at this time, a complete 3.16-mile section of rail corridor will be preserved for trail use. The corridor runs through the heart of Lacey’s core business district. It provides connections between the business district, residential neighborhoods, a variety of City parks, the Community Center, the Senior Center, and Long Lake. Lacey currently lacks adequate trail options for pedestrians, roller bladers, joggers, and recreational bicyclists. The trail promises to be a popular facility since it provides views of Mt. Rainier, historic buildings and forests, and provides access to wetlands, lakes, and streams. The corridor is part of a regional trail network that connects the Thurston County communities of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, and Bucoda. It will provide an east-west connection to the north-south Chehalis Western trail and a westerly connection with Olympia’s Woodland Trail. Once the trail is developed, users will have access to Weyerhaeuser forest properties, the State Capitol, Olympia’s downtown, Watershed Park, and Woodard Bay.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Lacey City of Category: Trails WWRP Grant: $399,724.41 Applicant Match: $399,724.40 Project Type: Acquisition County: Thurston Legislative District: 22 Status: Closed Completed RCO Project # 02-1298

Location Details

The land purchase is best accessed from the intersection of Ruddell Rd. SE and Pacific Ave. SE. From that point follow the tracks eastward to Franz St. SE. The project continues about 360 feet east of Franz. The other portions of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe line that tie into this project can be accessed at a number of locations. The eastern project boundary can be accessed off of Union Mills Road. From I-5, take Marvin Road (SR 510) South approximately 3 miles south to Union Mills Road. Go West on Union Mills, past the Weyerhauser Box Plant on the South side of the road (Union Mills Road runs parallel to the railroad at this point. Just past the box plant, where Union Mills Road bends sharply to the North, turn onto the shoulder on the South side of the road. At this point, the tracks are visible and can be accessed by a small informal trail. The Western project boundary can be accessed off of Fones Road in Olympia at the Georgia Pacific Box Plant. From I-5, take Pacific Ave. East to Fones Rd. Turn South on Fones Road and go about 1/2 mile to the railroad crossing. The project essentially parallels the South side of Pacific Ave. in Lacey. It can be accessed from Pacific Ave. by going about a block South on any of the following streets: Carpenter Rd. SE, Homann Dr. SE, Ruddell Rd. SE, College St. SE, Golf Club Rd. SE, and Sleater Kinney Rd. SE.

What is the WWRP

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.