Yelm Prairie Line Regional Trail Phase 2

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 Yelm has extended the Yelm Prairie Line Trail approximately 1.2 miles adding paved trail and informational signage for walking, running, cycling, and horseback riding. We first had to remove all of the railroad iron and ties. Once we had that removed it left a clean slate for the contractor to to set a subgrade for the trail. After subgrade we brought in load after load of gravel to set the final grade for asphalt. A lot of trips with a bulldozer, roller and checking elevations left us with a beautiful final grade that was almost a shame to cover up with asphalt. The contractor spent a few days laying asphalt to send it over top, amazing. We also installed a lookout point about have way down the trail for an incredible view of the mountain. Some concrete skirts were poured on both sides of that area, one side for a bench, and the other for informational placards with history of the trail, Mount Rainier, the Nisqually Tribe, and the Nisqually Land Trust with special thanks to all involved. We could not be happier with the outcome and are looking forward to the next phase to keep this trail going. We are having an official ribbon cutting 6/12/2024 at 11:00am for anyone that want to join us. The only amendments we had on the project was for extra time at no cost and another for extra railroad tie removal and adding some informational signage to the scope but still stayed under our original budget.

Quick Facts

WWRP Applicant: Yelm City of Category: Trails WWRP Grant: $401,357.50 Applicant Match: $100,339.59 Project Type: Development County: Thurston Legislative District: 2 Status: Completed RCO Project # 20-1314

Location Details

From the Yelm Prairie Line Trailhead (within the City of Yelm), head northeast along the existing trail corridor until its current northern terminus directly east of the Mountain Sunrise Neighborhood.

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.