OLYMPIA – July 26, 2016 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Thursday adopted a resolution and policy supporting the continued development of Washington’s cross-state trail system. The Commission also approved land classifications and long-term boundaries for the Iron Horse State Park Trail between the Columbia River and Malden in Eastern Washington.
The resolution, policy and plan were adopted at the Commission’s regular meeting in Clarkston. The actions follow months of public process initiated by State Parks to address such issues as noxious weeds, vegetation management and trespass and fencing concerns expressed by property owners who live and work adjacent to the trail. The plan identifies needed support facilities, including trailheads, bridge and trestle repairs and future camping opportunities.
The plan considers acquiring or developing agreements to manage existing gaps in land ownership, including about 4 miles of private property and 40 miles managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. In 2006, the State Legislature directed State Parks to manage the portion of trail east of Lind. As an outcome of the plan, State Parks will work with the advisory committee to settle on a new trail name that is broadly recognizable and establishes a marketable identity for the trail. Currently the trail is called by two names—John Wayne Pioneer Trail and Iron Horse State Park Trail.
The resolution adopted by the Commission highlights State Parks’ commitment to long-term development and operation of Washington’s cross-state trail system, including completing development on the entire length of the Iron Horse State Park Trail Corridor between Rattlesnake Lake and the Idaho border and highlighting the importance of connecting to a national network of long-distance rails trails.
“All over the country, trails like these provide significant health, tourism and economic benefits,” said Commission Chair Steve Milner of Chelan. “We look forward to more effectively responding to the interests of both adjacent landowners and the recreating public. My reading is that rural economies want the trail as a tourism and economic development tool. Recreation users want to experience the natural and cultural history of Eastern Washington. And trail neighbors want the trail corridor to be kept free of noxious weeds, safe from trespassers and managed in a manner that doesn’t impede the agricultural activities on their land. I think we can be successful on all fronts by working together.”
For more information on the John Wayne Iron Horse State Park Trail Plan, visit:
http://parks.state.wa.us/979/John-Wayne-Pioneer-Trail-Planning
About the Iron Horse State Park TrailIron Horse State Park Trail parallels I-90, running 287 miles along the defunct trestles, rail beds and tunnels of the Old Chicago Milwaukee Saint Paul and Pacific railroads. The trail starts just east of North Bend and runs east to the Idaho border. About 110 miles of trail on the west end have been improved for use by hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The terrain varies from the evergreen forests and subalpine lakes of the western Cascades, to the shrub steppes and channeled scablands of eastern Washington. The corridor was acquired by the state of Washington in 1981. In 2006, the State Legislature directed State Parks to manage the portion of the trail that lies east of Lind. For more information, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/521/Iron-Horse
The Iron Horse trail is part of a developing statewide network of Washington rail trails that also includes the Columbia Plateau Trail, Spokane Centennial Trail and Klickitat Trail in Eastern Washington and the Willapa Hills Trail in Southwest Washington. The state’s cross-state trail system is part of the national trails movement. According to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, more than 21,000 miles of rail trails are used by tens of millions of Americans each year.
About Washington State ParksThe Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
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