Celebrating connectivity on a perfect fall day
Enjoying the newly christened trail
It was the perfect fall day to celebrate. Sunny, crisp, and cool, several dozen citizens, many with dogs or bicycles arrived to join the Seattle Mayor’s office, Seattle Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation, Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Green Seattle Partnership, the Seattle Police Department and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust in marking a great moment in time: the grand opening of the Mountains-to-Sound Trail on Beacon Hill. It’s a wonderful new multi-use, paved trail that will provide connections to downtown Seattle and the International District, sports stadiums, and the Seattle Waterfront.
After remarks by the Mayor’s office, Craig Thompson, long-time forest and orchard steward for Dr. José Rizal Park, thanked the tireless efforts of volunteers and community groups to make this trail possible.
"This is a real opportunity that shows how citizens and government can come together to make a difference in our region. It significantly opens a major forest to restoration and public use," he said.
Once the ribbon was cut, the entire group took a stroll or a bike ride on the newly christened trail. The trail itself wraps around the hill and gives users the most spectacular city views and peeks of Puget Sound and the Olympics. The sun illuminated the already brightly colored trees that lined the path, which is smoothly paved and complete with lights to help those who use it at night. The off-leash area for dogs is adjacent to the trail with many pups at play while their owners took in the stellar views and sunshine.
As I walked the trail taking pictures, some of the comments I overheard mentioned the trail being a great place to bring out-of-town folks for dynamic city views next to nature. One gentleman who was walking his two dogs was thrilled to have this trail in his neighborhood to help cut his bicycle commute time to downtown every day.
“With its magnificent view of downtown Seattle and the Olympics, Dr. José Rizal Park will become a jewel for Beacon Hill and Seattle,” says Thompson. “Connected, safe, off-road transportation options such as this new trail are key to our future.”
HOW TO GET THERE: (900 Sturgus Ave S) Take I-5 to exit 163B Columbia Way. Follow Columbia to Spokane St and turn left. Take a left at 15th Ave S and follow it for 10-12 minutes heading back north. 15th Ave S turns into Golf Drive eventually. At the end of Golf Drive, take a left onto S Charles St at Lewis Park (S Charles turns into Sturgus). Street parking available. MAP
