West Coast Greenway

BACKGROUND Multi-state, mega trail projects have a long history in the United States. In 1921, Benton MacKaye first envisioned a trail along the Appalachian Mountains that would eventually become one of the world’s longest continuously marked footpaths. Completed in 1937, the APPALACHIAN TRAIL (AT) crosses 14 states and receives close to 3 million visitors annually. The vast majority hike for a few hours or a few days, however 3,000 people attempt to thru-hike the full AT every year. In 1991, a small group of bicycle advocates met in New York City to launch the EAST COAST GREENWAY (ECG) as the urban answer to the immensely popular Appalachian Trail. The East Coast Greenway is envisioned to seamlessly connect hundreds of communities along a 2,900 mile traffic-free shared-use path from Maine to Florida. Despite a $3 billion price tag, the project is 30% complete thanks largely to organized grassroots advocacy and broad political support. The East Coast Greenway is already generating immense recreation, transportation, and economic revitalization benefits through tourism for the urban, suburban and rural areas along the East Coast. On the opposite side of the country, the increasingly popular PACIFIC CREST TRAIL, completed in 1993) provides 2,600 miles of world-class hiking from Canada to Mexico, however like the Appalachian Trail, no major cities fall along the trail. The CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL, the OREGON COAST BIKE ROUTE, the JUAN BAUTISTA Appalachian DE ANZA TRAIL and various regional trail Trail networks are in different stages of development, however no national vision currently exists for developing a shared-use path linking Vancouver, BC to San Diego, California and The East Coast Greenway is envisioned to link Maine the 27 million people living along the Pacific with Florida and every Coast in between. Now is the time to create major city in between. the West Coast Greenway. Vancouver, BC North Cascades National Park Olympic Seattle National Park National Park Mount Rainier National Park Other Trails West Coast Greenway Portland THE VISION THE WEST COAST GREENWAY will serve as a continuous sustainable mobility corridor that connects every major city on the West Coast from Vancouver, BC to San Diego. The greenway will provide close-to-home Crater Lake National access for people who want to spend just Park a few hours on the trail or a remarkable experience for long-distance travelers who will be able to experience the West Coast’s natural beauty as they travel from city to city. Innovative technologies and a “West Coast” Redwoods approach to project develoment will National Park provide economic benefits to large Lassen Volcanic cities and small towns alike. Some National Park of our nation’s most heavily visited parks and public lands will be connected by this world-class ribbon of green infrastructure. The West Coast Greenway will Yosemite serve as the coastal companion to San Francisco National Park the Pacific Crest Trail for hikers, San Jose walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Kings Pinnacles Canyon National National Park Park Sequoia Death National Valley Park National Park Contact Jeff Knowles, Alta Planning + Design Channel jeffknowles@altaplanning.com Islands Joshua 510 788 6878 National Tree Park National Park San Diego.

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