December 2007 | T H E T R A I L L I N E N E W S | V o l 2 1 I ss u e 4

Current President, Markus Dennis, lobbies supporter, Gov. Gregiore Recognizing those who’ve made this possible Oops! Sorry to be late with this husband--it was she who at the end unintended contribution to the trail’s issue, but now that we are so close of the meeting strongly suggested to success remains dubious at best. to Valentine’s day I want to take this him that he enlist my involvement. Were it not for her it is probable that opportunity to recognize the many It was a woman who jolted me the trail might have been finished special ladies who have played a and others into action with a letter years ago and cost millions less. significant role in the twenty-five to the editor scathing the idea of a The trail has had many heroines. year history of our Foothills Trail. trail and prophesying all manner Among them was Lakewood resident Without them our trail would not of horrors that it would bring. She Mary Horn who with her husband be what it is today. The first lady subsequently spent years and untold Greg and their business partners were of the trail was the late Marieles hundreds of thousands of dollars prepared to donate a lengthy section Tait, whose husband, Dr. Douglas fighting the trail project, but at the of railroad right-of-way adjacent to Tait, inspired the Foothills Trail same time she energized hundreds of their Ski Park Farms development. in 1983. I only met Marieles once, trail supporters into a coalition that Unfortunately an ownership dispute at the meeting where I first met her otherwise would likely not exist. Her Continued on page three Foothills Trail Coalition Board

President...... Markus Dennis (253) 381-1358, [email protected] Vice President...... John Downs (360) 897-2617, [email protected] Treasurer...... Tom Enlow (253) 761-9258, [email protected] Secretary...... Peggy Levesque (253) 224-8368, [email protected] Past President...... Buzz Grant (253) 845-4991, [email protected] Board members...... Ernie Bay ...... Linda Clark ...... Ed Davis ...... Pat Johnson ...... Jerry Larson ...... Don Partington ...... John Selby ...... Jan Wolcott ...... Ken Woolery

Mission: The mission of the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coali- tion is to assist Pierce County communities in the creation and maintenance of a connected system of non-motorized trails and greenways from Mt. Rainier to Puget Sound.

Printing: The Trail Line News is published quarterly by L&L Printing and Graphics. L and L can be reached at (253) 848-5546, Fax: (253) 848-5547.

Layout: The Trail Line News is designed by Matt Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of The Viking Vanguard (the Puyal- lup High School newspaper). Matt can be reached at (253) 250-8085 or at (253) 841-8711 X6216. He may be E-mailed at [email protected]. The Viking Vanguard may be reached by E-mail at [email protected] or by phone: (253) 841-8711 X6216.

Page 2 South Prairie salmon run It was another glorious day on the us think we could triple it! Calendar Foothills Trail Saturday, September Sometime in August the owners 29th, when the town of South Prairie of the Trailside Connection, Captain Monthly Board Meetings hosted the second annual Salmon Mike and his charming side kick are open to all members and Run. Between 75 and 80 participants Cheryl, mentioned they wanted to are generally held enjoyed running the 5K and 10K host a salmon bake for So. Prairie in on 4th Thursdays trail races and a family walk of appreciation of its citizens. It was a from 7 to 9 p.m. about a mile. Once again Markus perfect match to propose the salmon at the Puyallup Public Library, Dennis served as Race Director bake with with the race. They agreed, south entrance. under the watchful and discerning and Mike procured and donated 324 South Meridian Street eye of Mayor Peggy Levesque and the salmon while the Coalition Monthly meetings may be other members of the town council. purchased the fixings to go with it. rescheduled due to holiday They were easy to spot because they Donations were accepted for the conflicts. Check our web site were wearing those funny looking Coalition, but there was no set price paper hats that looked like salmon. and no donation was required. About for changes. There were many winners of the race 115 people enjoyed the salmon bake - too many to mention, but the big which ended in mid afternoon. Weekly Meetings winner was the town of So. Prairie Until next year’s event, happy are every Wednesday at noon at and its citizens who worked to running! Charlie’s Restaurant, bring this event into fruition. Peggy 113 East Main, Puyallup. and Markus think we can double the - John Downs size of the event next year; some of All are welcome. President’s Message Continued to the cause, and they contributed their EVENTS from page 1 section of the RR right-of-way which by an outside party caused years became known as the trail’s Soler Mile. Foothills Dash of court delays. Other significant March 15, 2008 ladies included Mountaineer and Octogenarian, lifelong volunteer and environmentalist Helen Engle who outdoor enthusiast Dixie Gatchel and 8 AM at Ptarmigan Ridge designed our original trail logo, former her late husband Clay personified the Elementary School 805 Old Pio- Pierce County Councilwoman and later trail’s popular Courtesy Patrol. Dixie neer Way NW, Orting, WA Sumner City Mayor Barbara Skinner is an inspiration to all and continues Wendy Garrison, 253-798-4176 who championed the trail through to serve the Foothills Trail with her [email protected] countless committees and public many talents of personal diplomacy, leadership, writing, photography and meetings where hers was often the public speaking. Thanks to Carla Trail Work Parties critical vote, and the late Orting City Gramlich, Mona Beck, Joan Miller Saturdays as announced by Councilwoman Louise Wise who stood and Diane Kerlin for their many email. Call Don Partington 253- up to her male counterparts who were contributions as past board members. 863-5307 to get on the list. for the most part strong trail antagonists. Today four women mayors, Cheryl The following have helped Temple of Orting, Peggy Levesque insurmountably: the late Claudia Peters, of South Prairie, Pat Johnson of Courtesy Patrol Pierce County Trails Coordinator, for Buckley, and Janet Kepka of Wilkeson, whom the trail was not just a job but are all staunch trail supporters. Meetings a full time passion, Puyallup resident I want to especially recognize my 253-845-7219 Jackie Holmes who with her late wife, Ellen, who was the ultimate trail 2nd Saturdays of month husband Slade volunteered heavy widow for so many years as I spent equipment and hours of trail building. hours and days in meetings, and hours Local environmental activist Mary more venting my trail frustrations Haire taught herself grant writing and at home. She shared my victories secured tens of thousands of dollars and consoled my disappointments. for bridge materials and, with her Here’s to the ladies! Valentine husband Bill, personally purchased hearts and flowers to all of these trail right-of-way parcels to expedite wonderful women and to the construction. Real Estate attorney many others I have not mentioned. Donna Roper Tait volunteered pro bono professional services to As trail lovers we owe them all a our Coalition and to Pierce County world of thanks. Parks for the Foothills Trail project. Looking for a good bike ride? Marie Soler of Soler Farms in South Ernie Bay Tacoma Wheelmen Prairie converted her husband August Past President www.twbc.org/

Page 3 Puyallup River to Foothills link still ‘high priority’ with city he government affairs committee met City has a sincere desire Development Rights program to complete the bike lanes in Pierce County. Almost 150 several times over the last quarter and contemplated in their 1996 people showed up to support is pleased to give the following report plan. this idea. Several people T In Thurston County, I including us reminded them of our activities. continue to receive positive that obtaining our non- It is great to see the Bike/ been delayed due to some reports on the Chehalis motorized trail rights-of-way Ped Path open across the personnel moving on to other Western Trail and the much- in a more timely manner new Narrows Bridge. It is jobs, but the link remains a improved bollard situation. is an important issue. still our hope to put on a ride high priority with the City Everyone says it is so much Ralph Wessels and I will in the Spring that would go of Puyallup. Hopefully, the easier and enjoyable to use have attended a meeting on both ways across the bridge work will occur next spring, the trail. Some neighbors the Statewide Non-motorized with elected officials invited but we will see. are concerned that cyclists Plan by the time you get this to participate. A good time I’m still waiting to see have been darting out into newsletter. might be Bike to Work day in construction start in Lower the crossing traffic. Please Please remember that your May or during the CarLESS Burnett to build the big bridge be careful and remember help is needed in your local Commute in June. abutments that will carry the that trails like this are far community. Right now, Beth Glynn and others at bike path from So. Prairie more dangerous than bike Lakewood is engaged in the Health Department have to Buckley. The Coalition lanes due to these crossing developing a non-motorized submitted a grant request to is trying to open up the dirt situations. plan, and there has been update the 1996 Tacoma Non- trail between Wilkeson and Carla and I attended an very little input form the motorized Plan. I hope to get Carbonado by this spring. In open house for the Sounder community. the Health Department, Metro Buckley, Mayor Pat Johnson Train moving up through the - Bob Myrick Parks, Tacoma Wheelmen, is trying to get a commitment Nalley Valley. The proposed City of Tacoma, Foothills to provide the trail parallel trail from South Tacoma Rails-to-Trails Coalition and to the flume that carries Way to the University of others involved in working water to Lake Tapps from and the Thea together on the CarLESS the White River. She is also Foss Waterway seems Commute in 2008--its 16th working with King County to to be missing due to a year. Just about everybody get Buckley and Enumclaw large retaining wall that now recognizes the need for connected across the White is apparently required to Healthy Living, Active Living River. accommodate the train. and other methods to reduce In Milton, I have seen Hopefully, the City is still our environmental impact the contractors working on pursuing the trail segment and our traffic congestion the Interurban Trail. I am from the University down problems. As Dixie Gatchell confident the paved trail to the Thea Foss. This is a and the National Rails-to- through Milton should be critical connection, because Trails Conservancy say, available by spring time. So. Tacoma Way is the “Burn calories, not carbon.” Hopefully, we can get the trail northern end of the Water Out on the Foothills Trail, extended through Edgewood Ditch Trail which potentially yellow safety envelopes and Fife in the near future. extends down Flett and have been painted around The Milton Interurban Trail Chambers Creeks to the park Pierce County’s bollards. has been a great place to walk and golf course on Puget The plan is to remove the the dog for an hour or so. Sound— Editor two outer bollards to a spot In Tacoma, I have been The draft plan is also out just off the pavement in in contact with Diane Wiatr for Point Defiance Park and most places, leaving a much and Eric Anderson, the City should be commented on, safer path to travel. The Manager, regarding their particularly with regard other communities out there desire to move forward to bike travel. County are moving in the same on streetcar, bike travel, Councilmen Calvin Goings direction. pedestrian travel and parking and Tim Farrell hosted a The missing link between issues. Carla Gramlich meeting at Snake Lake to the Puyallup River Walk continues to bird-dog this receive input on the idea and the Foothills Trail has issue, and it seems like the of having a Transfer of

Page 4 ‘Bicycle Recycle’ program begins with help of Eric Wilbur ment to “always wear your Mary Colquhoun and ric Wilbur, mountain biker helmet when riding.” Both Mariella Arnold were rec- extraordinaire, suggested a Bicycle winners were accompanied ognized for their outstand- by their parents and sib- ing service to the FRTTC Recycle program to the Courtesy Patrol: lings. and the Courtesy Patrol. CP salvaging and restoring bikes and Morgan Urtasun, age 12, Chairman Jerry Larson pre- traveled all the way from sented them with the first of Egiving them away or selling them for a modest Whidbey Island to attend the Capt2Wheeler Awards the fair on opening day with for their efforts above and donation to the Coalition. Courtesy Patrol members his mother. His raffle ticket beyond the call of duty. Richard and Joanie Harrelson and Jim Halpin have was one of the first to go into Mary is a walker and cov- the container and the first to ers the trail from East Puyal- be drawn. He had planned lup to South Prairie, plus the Halpin have volunteered Jerry Larson (Capt2Wheeler) to give the Schwinn Cruiser Puyallup River Walk, with to assist Tom Penya on at 253-845-7219. to his Mom, but upon seeing eyes and ears for security, bike restoration under Eric Puyallup Fair Bicycles it decided safety, and litter. She relates Wilbur. Several dozen bikes Awarded: Interested he might well with all trail users she have already been received Ken Woolery, Past Presi- in joining? loan it to meets. and many processed and de- dent 2005 and organizer Call 253-845- her once in Mariella is a walker, livered. Here’s the score so of the Coalition booth at 7219. Second a while. runner, and bike rider and far: the Puyallup Fair, reported annual certi- Olivia performs the function of •20 bikes received from that “The bike raffle could monthly coordinator for the fication class Schaper, salvage not have turned out any age 6 of Courtesy Patrol. She is often to begin Feb. •3 bikes and baby seat better!” The 17-day booth Bonney seen on the trail enjoying went to one family issued tens of thousands of 9, March 8 Lake, ar- her sports as well as doing •1 bike donated from Fed- free raffle tickets to win a and April 12. rived at the litter control and meeting eral Way, refurbished, and Schwinn SS Cruiser and a Graduation club house trail users. given to 6-year old Redline trick bike. Both bi- will be on appear- Award winners will •1 salvaged French Racer cycles were donated by Bon- May 10. ing quite nominate the next recipi- used in Puyallup Library ney Lake Bicycle of Sumner. bashful. ents, and the medals will for showcasing FRTTC and The winners received However, upon her name be- pass from worthy contribu- Courtesy Patrol their bikes at the Courtesy ing called, she strode to the tor to worthy contributor on •3 bikes donated by Patrol meeting at High Ce- rostrum with authority and a monthly basis at the Cour- FRTTC/CP members dars on October 13, from Jim struck a model’s pose during tesy Patrol meetings at High •6 bikes received by word- Stevenson representing Bon- picture taking. She was last Cedars. Mary and Mariella of-mouth referral ney Lake Bicycle. John E. seen wearing her new red nominated Bob Larson and If you have a bicycle you Berry III, safety spokesman helmet and riding across the Russ Matthews. Join me in would like to donate, please for the Courtesy Patrol, is- High Cedars parking lot on congratulating Mary, Mari- call Eric Wilbur, Bicycle sued new helmets (donated her brand new red bike. ella, Bob, and Russ! Recycle Special Category by Helmets ‘R’ Us) and dis- Capt2Wheeler Awards -Jerry Larson Chairman, at 253-223-5226 or cussed the critical require- Presented:

How to reach the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition:

•Webpage: http://piercecountytrails.org •Address: P.O. box 192, Puyallup, Wash. 98371 •Message phone: (253) 841-2570 • E-Mail: [email protected]

Richard presents bike. Page 5 Making the case for active transportation ay it loud! Say it clear! Burn calories, not carbon! to “burn calories, not carbon,” tives, loudly and clearly, that we have a shot at lessening The word on active transportation is you want safe, people- and the severity of impact of the planet-friendly places to spreading, friends. You can feel the beat and foreboding “perfect storm.” walk and bike, connected to S What say you, friends? seamless rail-trail transpor- watch the groundswell. Caring citizens all over our Are you ready to take the tation centers and amenities. Rails-to-Trails Conservan- beautiful State of Washington are signing on to the The Active Transportation cy active transportation Campaign will empower at Rails-to-Trails Active Transportation Campaign 2010 pledge to “burn calories, least 40 communities to each not carbon?” Complete in- advocate for $50 million in in the grassroots movement to save not only ourselves, formation and tactical sug- the next federal transporta- gestions plus the pledge but also planet Earth. tion reauthorization, antici- form are online at www. pated by 2010. My personal railstotrails.org. Please sign hope is that one of the great Today, members of the Foot- nizations or schools upon in- the RTC pledge to walk and communities bordering a hills Rails-to-Trails Coalition vitation. Our Courtesy Patrol bike more and drive less for Pierce County rail-trail is se- practice and promote active members walk and ride the healthier people, healthier lected. transportation with enthusi- trail on a regular basis, offer- communities, healthier Happy Trails and Peace asm and effectiveness. Over ing assistance and informa- economies, and ultimately out all. three hundred eager trail us- tion about trail activities and a healthier planet. Please - Dixie Gatchel ers have joined the Foothills active transportation. And tell your elected representa- Trail Coalition over the past we’re just getting started! few months. Our eye-catch- Sebastian Junger, in his ing exhibit at the Puyallup gripping novel “The Perfect Library during the month of Storm” chronicles how three October showcased the ben- converging separate weather efits of active transportation systems met over the North and won kudos from both Atlantic in 1991 to create one visitors and library staff. Our of the most violent storms of BicycleRecycle program to the century. What a perfect distribute gently-used bicy- metaphor for the fate of hu- cles to trail users is phenom- manity should the negative enally successful, thanks to events, both natural and po- the skills of some dedicated litical, in play throughout the cyclists. Bikes donated to world today, converge in an the Coalition are either given apocalyptic battle of man pit- away as needed or exchanged ted against the unstoppable for a small donation to help forces of nature and our own fund our Courtesy Patrol. Co- private and public apathy and alition outreach activities inaction. We the people can include a speakers’ bureau change that! By acting now available to community orga-

Page 6 Weight management: The balancing act foods. anything but water or low onsider weight management as a balance Starchy foods include fat milk, ask yourself if scale. We burn calories (not carbon- ha) grains, breads, cereals, you need the additional on one side of the scale with exercise and starchy vegetables. calories. The recommended Choose to have three and activities of daily living. The other requirement for the grains servings of low fat dairy Cside holds the amount of food we eat. If the food group is 6-11 servings per per day. day. Depending on your Researchers have side is heavier, we gain weight. If the exercise side calorie needs, you could shown the benefits of is heavier, we lose weight. When they are equal, start with the lower end weight loss in groups of of 6 servings spacing people who consumed 3 our current weight stays the same. How do we keep them out into 3 meals or servings per day verses the scale tipped in our favor? By making wise... two servings per meal. A those who did not. It serving consists of 1 piece also has been studied in ...daily lifestyle choices Think of eating fiber of bread, 1/3 cup rice or Dietary Approaches to of eating fewer calories like brushing you teeth, pasta, or ½ cup cereal. Stop Hypertension trial and exercising more. Here making it part of your Another way to control as being beneficial for are some practical ways to daily routine to keep your intake of these foods is lowering blood pressure, improve your weight with insides healthy and clean. to cover no more than ¼ a condition that often dietary habits: Vegetables, fruits, and of your plate in starchy goes along with being foods. Try overweight. Choose to eat regular whole grains all contain “T h e typi c al meals. fiber if eaten in their whole to avoid the A m e r i c an e ats Choose form. Make a goal for fad diets that o nly a b o u t 1 1 to eat What happens when you g r a m s o f fi b e r skip a meal during the yourself to eat these foods encourage p e r day , o nly according at most meals to meet the eliminating half o f th e to the Plate day? If you’re like most of r e c o m m e nd e d ” us, you probably overeat daily fiber requirements this food Method. at your next meal. Studies and see an improvement group because The Plate we need the W e ight m A N A G e m e nt Method show that people who in your waistline. a b alan c ing a c t typically consume one or Choose to eat smaller benefits of sums up two meals per day end up portions of meat. carbohydrates for energy. healthy eating habits if consuming more calories The typical American Choose fewer sugary followed consistently. than those who eat five or eats excessive meat, beverages. First of all ask yourself six times per day. Make a contributing to excess Another way to think what the size the plate is. plan to eat a well-balanced calories and fat. One about sodas, sweetened Is it the standard large meal at least 3 times per ounce of medium fat meat tea, and juices is liquid dinner plate? If so, try day with healthy snacks in is 75 calories and 5 grams candy. They contain eating off the salad plate between meals to prevent of fat. A standard serving nothing but water and to reduce your portion over eating. of meat is only 2-3 ounces, lots of refined sugar and sizes. When serving your Choose to eat more or about the size of a the calories can add up food, cover half of your fiber. deck of poker cards. Most very fast. For example, plate with colorful non- The typical American people only need 3 meat one of my patients used starchy vegetables. Next eats only about 11 grams servings per day totaling to drink an entire case of fill one quarter of the of fiber per day, only half about 6-9 ounces per day. regular soda in addition plate with starchy foods, of the recommended 25-35 How many times have you to meals every day. After and the remaining quarter grams per day. Fiber is not ordered the 12-ounce rib eliminating the soda with low fat meat. Have completely absorbed by eye steak at the local steak she immediately started a glass of low fat milk or the body, sparing us the house? Next time you’re shedding pounds. Also water to drink. Eating this extra calories. Not only tempted, think twice consider sports drinks in way at most meals will does fiber spare calories, about how many calories this liquid candy category bring down your calorie but it helps lower blood and grams of fat you’ll unless you’re using it for intake and tip the balance cholesterol and prevent consume. an extended period of scale closer to your weight some digestive diseases Choose to control exercise lasting longer goals! such as diverticulitis. portion sizes of starchy than an hour. If you drink -Angie Taque

Page 7 Networking for trails “sandbox” for another mile along the Puyallup River before Narrows turning north along 54th Ave. E. to the Fife exchange. The City Council bridge budgeted $750 K to improve the On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Cush- city’s trail system. “The No. 1 man Trail was connected to the recreation item we hear from Scott Pierson Trail across the residents is expanding the trail new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. system,” said Fife City Manager, The state Department of Transpor- Steve Worthington. If you live tation announced that the toll-free in Fife, please lobby your City bicycle-pedestrian lane will be- Council to expedite their was opened Nov. 17 despite earlier projections that the 10-foot-wide trail development program. extra lane might not open in - John Selby 2007. The builder has been us- ing it as a staging area while finishing the bridge’s underside. Work- ers will still use the lane Interurban for staging; bikers and walkers will be asked to move carefully trail around equipment. On Saturday, Construction on the major portion of the Milton Interurban Trail is the state also permanently closed underway. It was originally scheduled both sidewalks of the old bridge for completion before October in order to the general public. For detailed to avoid the fall rains, but work didn’t maps and more informa- start until the fall rains arrived. At tion on the bike lane: visit least the portion of the trail between www.tacomanarrowsbridge.com. Porter Way and the 70th Ave. overpass -John Selby (Information compiled of I-5 has been paved. See photos. The from The News Tribune) trail is closed to public access during construction. Large piles of small, medium, and large gravel are present in the West Milton Park parking area waiting to be placed as underlayment Fife trails in the areas not yet paved. The Fife City Council has earmarked The overgrown section between money for a pedestrian bridge Porter and Kent Street has been bulldozed and residents in that across the railroad tracks at 54th section adjacent to the trail have been Avenue East. One of the Council’s to a city council meeting complaining goals for 2008 is to also explore about the City’s plan to put up only a the possibility for an underpass. six foot fence. They want an eight foot fence, regular police patrols, and strict A pedestrian crossing at that enforcement of the dawn to dusk trail location would allow the Rainier to hours. Ruston route to stay in the challenging - Milton Loflin Mt. Rainer n September, the consulting firm Parametrix completed a feasibility Above: Pictures of the Milton study of the potential to develop a trail within the railroad right-of-way Interurban trail. Ifrom Freighthouse Square in Tacoma to Elbe, a distance of approximately 45 miles. The railroad corridor is owned by the City of Tacoma and passes through the communities of Fredrickson, Graham, and Eatonville on the way to Elbe. The initial cost estimate for the trail is approximately $72 million. The trail study was conducted by the City of Tacoma (Tacoma Rail) under a joint agreement with Mount Rainier National Park as one component of a larger feasibility study exploring the potential for re-establishing passenger excursion rail service from Tacoma to the Upper Nisqually region near Mount Rainier National Park. - Jayme Gordon Pleasants of ForeverGreen

Page 8 Letter to the editor Effort to reduce car The Hitching Post A huge thank you brochure for equestrian to Russ Matthews, trail users. This is the reliance commended Dixie Gatchel, Bill time for equestrians to Dear Trail Line News, Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club Harmon, and all the get involved! It is very The following is a and we started “Bikes other photographers important, especially reprint of my letter to Eric in Buses.” His foresight who took our pictures as the new sections of eventually brought the bike Anderson, Tacoma’s City one sunny day in the trail are planned racks on our buses and Manager. August! Linda Clark and developed between I was in Nepal trekking shamed Metro and Capital Transit into providing bike has been working with South Prairie and when the News Tribune Pierce County Parks to Buckley. Pierce County published your ideas about racks as well. let them know where Parks personnel have transportation in and about Now, we have the Health mounting blocks would been very supportive the city. Thank you so Department fully involved much for your efforts to in Active Living programs be helpful near bridges along with the entire reduce our reliance on the and the Foothills Rails-to- along the Foothills Foothills Trail Coalition, car and improve our own Trails Coalition is excited Trail. She is putting but we must help educate personal health, the health about promoting Active together a poster board them about our needs as of the environment and to Transportation - “Burn with pictures of her equestrians. Linda Clark reduce congestion. Calories, Not Carbon.” We and her horse standing is our representative I hope you saw today’s look forward to continuing before and after all the on the Coalition board, article “Save your health, our work with Tacoma, bridges between Orting but she can not do it save the planet.” It says the other governments in and South Prairie. The alone. Please, please walking just a half hour a Pierce County and the other mounting blocks will get involved. Attend a day and reducing red meat organizations devoted to be conveniently placed meeting, help on a trail consumption can save the improving personal and so that equestrians can crew work party, or join planet and our personal environmental health. safely lead their horse the Courtesy Patrol. health. In Tacoma/Pierce Our mission is to promote across the bridges and There are so many fun County, we have been bicycling for recreation, remount on the other ways to get involved and assisting Tacoma and the health and transportation. side. there is no better time Walking and bicycling County Parks Department We are also working than now. will surely play a large in putting on the CarLESS projects to get signage Please contact Linda Commute program for role as we begin to realize the need to provide a for horse trailer parking for more information at almost 20 years now. The at trail heads, improve 360-897-6163 or email first year, King Cushman sustainable environment hitching posts, and [email protected]. from Pierce Transit and transportation system. produce an education - Jeanette Fohn approached the Tacoma - Bob Myrick

2025 Freeman Rd. E PO Box 1910, Milton Wash. 98354

1-800-851-3671 www.northwesternem broidery.com

Page 9 Work Party Report

During the past quarter, your Coalition trail crew did a final sweep and clearing Rails to of the “Upper Carbon,” the section of the Foothills Trail upstream of Carbonado to Fairfax. We also cleared brush and brambles to open a short section of Trails new trail below Fitzer’s Mill, extending the trail from Buckley toward South Prairie. And we scraped and cleaned bollards for the County to help expedite their painting project. See the Bulletin article on Bollard Safety Update.

If you are interested in helping out on our Saturday work parties, call me at 253- Board 863-5307. - Don Partington

Port to buy Eastside rail corridor

In a tentative deal hailed as one of the most important land acquisitions in the region’s history, the Port of plans Orting Valley Fire Dept. Bike Team to buy a 42-mile Eastside rail corridor and lease the southern portion of it to The Orting Valley Fire Department, which King County for a hiking and biking trail. makes up Pierce County Fire District 18 The county will build a trail from Renton and the City of Orting Fire Department, to Woodinville, which will connect with the existing Burke-Gilman Trail. King started a Bike Team last month. Our team County Councilmember Julia Patterson consist of two bikes. One is set up with said that after a trail is built and linked basic life support (BLS) supplies and the to other trails, “We will have the most other has advanced life support (ALS) extensive regional trail system in the supplies. The BLS bike is set up to treat entire country.” head/neck injuries, broken bones, cuts - Jeff Selby [Summarized from an article and scrapes and other trauma related by Keith Ervin and Bob Young, Seattle injuries. The ALS bike has an IV start kit Times, November 2, 2007.] containing medicine for our medics to administer in life threatening situations. It also comes with a defibrillator and oxygen kit.

--Lt. Jesse Mitchell

Page 10 Levesque newest addition to ‘Trails board of directors ur President Markus of Iceland, lives in Reykjavik, Ice- pretty successful in that endeavor. I Dennis scored a coup land. Peggy says, “By raising our have been a trail supporter from the when he persuaded children in a small town, we tried beginning. It was a long and diffi- Peggy Levesque to to give them the benefit of a small cult battle to get the trail into South fill the board vacan- town upbringing but with a world Prairie, and I am eager to get the cyO occurring when Sharon Hlavka, view by instilling an internation- trail through the rest of the town. It who did an outstanding job, was al point of view to our children. Per- is sad to have the dubious distinc- forced to resign her position due haps we over did it a bit! Our other tion of having South Prairie be the to a change in career and working two daughters live in the USA, and dead end of the Foothills Trail. I am hours. Peggy, the current Mayor of I hope to keep them here! Daugh- looking forward to the day that the South Prairie, is well-known and ter Alicia lives in Wallingford and trail will meet up with the Buckley much-liked among Foothillers. Her works at the UW, commuting on the section and join us with Wilkeson political know-how and long-time Burke-Gilman Trail. Our youngest and Carbonado. I support the vision support for trails match the mission daughter Valorie lives in Tacoma of the Foothills Trail going from of the Coalition. Peggy also partici- with her husband Jeff and their 10- Mount Rainier to Puget Sound, from pates in trail events such as South day old baby Jack, my first grand- Glacier to Bay. My son wants to fly Prairie’s own “Run with the Salm- child. to the east coast from Iceland and on.” The South Prairie team, “The When my children were young then bicycle on trails home! So I am Mayor’s Relayers,” was a happy and there was no place in town to safe- heartily in support of a cross-coun- colorful addition to the 2007 Rain- ly and smoothly ride bikes. Walk- try trail network. I am very happy ier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay and ing was even a little dicey. We had to be a part of the Foothills Rails-to- Ultra sponsored by the Foothills very few sidewalks; the roads were Trails Coalition and to work on get- Coalition. gravel. It is my belief that pedestri- ting the trail completed!” Peggy and Lawrence, residents ans should be afforded safe places Welcome to the board, Mayor of South Prairie for 31 years, raised to walk. As a City Council Mem- Peggy Levesque. We Foothillers are their family there. Daughter Jenni- ber, one of my priorities was getting very happy to have you on board. fer lives in Canada with her Cana- sidewalks and the trail into town. - Dixie Gatchel dian husband Daryl. Their son Sam, (We just got a big grant today for a recent graduate of the University more sidewalks!) And we have been

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