Category Overview
State Parks grants help preserve and develop our state’s best outdoor recreation areas by funding new campgrounds and amenities to increase the capacity of our parks, creating new parks, improving park resources, and protecting historical areas. These grants help our state continue to develop our world-class parks system to share our cultural heritage and natural treasures with all of its visitors.
Project Highlights
This project improves the Palouse to Cascades Trail (PTCT) between the Town of Malden, WA and the historic site known as Kenova. This 5-mile section of trail includes 3 trestles, which burned in the tragic Babb Road Fire in 2020. This proposal connects directly to the new trailhead in Malden (a current RCO grant project, construction 2022). When combined these 2 projects will provide ~14 miles of contiguous activated trail through this dramatic eastern Washington landscape. Work will include restoring and fireproofing the trestles, upgrading the trail surface, reinstating drainage, and developing a new trailhead and access point at Kenova. Federal Emergency Management Agency funds will be leveraged to pay for a portion of the trestle restoration. The PTCT is part of the Great American Rail Trail across the U.S. The corridor stretches more than 285 miles across Washington. State Parks is currently focused on developing the primitive trail in eastern Washington through a phased activation strategy. The PTCT is a non-motorized multi-use trail with opportunities for bicycling, walking, bird watching, and horseback riding. Improvements will be provided for trail users of all abilities and planned to create a welcoming experience for everyone. This project is identified in the Park’s Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) and supports the Acquisition and Development Strategy goals of Places to Be, Things to Do, and Ways to Grow.