May Creek Trail Bridge Development

Our Work / Trails / May Creek Trail Bridge Development

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

The City of Newcastle will use this grant to design and develop a pedestrian bridge across May Creek to expand the trail system in the Mountains to Sound Greenway. Hikers will be able to proceed westward on future trails toward Lake Washington or proceed eastward on existing trails to Cougar Mountain Regional Park. The bridge will allow the May Creek trail system to expand. Currently, the May Creek Trail leads to the east side of the bridge site and ends at the creek. The May Creek Trail in Renton, west of the bridge site, is not yet built and depends on construction of the bridge. This bridge is an essential piece to the eventual 8.5-mile regional hiking trail connecting Lake Washington to Cougar Mountain through Renton and Newcastle, mostly through wooded natural areas. This bridge will be the only crossing of May Creek between Interstate 405 (to the west) and Coal Creek Parkway (to the east), an almost 2-mile-long stretch. This trail has been identified in both the City of Newcastle’s and the City of Renton’s comprehensive plans as a priority. Newcastle will contribute $477,500 in cash and a local grant.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Newcastle City of Category: Trails WWRP Grant: NULL Applicant Match: 477500 Project Type: Development County: King Legislative District: 41 Status: Board Preliminary Approved RCO Project # 16-1737

Location Details

Accessing the site for non-construction purposes is currently possible by accessing the trail system from SE 93rd St, and proceeding on foot, on trail, into the creek canyon. It is a 0.4 mile hike, with 200' drop in elevation to the project site. Directions: There is a trail sign post and trail access point on SE 93rd St on the south side of the street between SE 92nd Pl and 118th Pl SE. Take the trail from the road down the long set of stairs. After 0.2 miles from the road, turn right at the trail junction to descend to May Creek for another 0.2 miles. The worksite is where the current trail terminates at May Creek. Construction access will be from NE 31st St. Temporary construction easements will be obtained because the road crosses private property.

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.