LA CENTER – Plans to construct multiple trail segments throughout the city of La Center moved one step closer to completion last week, after city officials determined that the construction “does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment.”
The trail segments will help connect an overarching pedestrian trail system that winds through La Center. Plans call for the construction of six trail segments, including the “High School Trail,” which has two options – a 900-foot long trail or a 1,250-foot long trail, both of which would be gravel pedestrian trails that traverse private property and include a boardwalk across Brezee Creek to connect with an existing gravel trail on the west side of the creek.
Other improvements include:
• A 500-foot, gravel pedestrian trail segment running from East Avenue to West 7th Street.
• An 1,100-foot gravel trail running from East 4th Street to an existing trail in Sternwheeler Park.
• A 600-foot gravel trail running north of the Lewis River, along D Avenue then west along West 2nd Street and finally connecting to an existing trail on West E Avenue.
• A short section of gravel trail on the west side of the La Center Road bridge connecting to an existing trail east of the bridge.
• A new park on the east side of La Center Road, just south of the bridge. This park will have a gravel access road off Pollock Road and will a gravel parking lot, gravel pedestrian walkway, grassy pedestrian area with picnic tables and barbecue pits, a future bathroom and a gravel, 5-foot-wide boat launch to allow non-motorized boats access to the Lewis River.
For more information about the trail segments, to see maps or to view the city’s environmental checklist, visit www.ci.lacenter.wa.us/city_departments/pw_landuse.php.
The city is now taking comments on this decision and members of the public are asked to testify in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 24. Comments can be sent to La Center Mayor Greg Thornton at 305 NW Pacific Highway, La Center, WA 98629, and should be labeled “RE: SEPA Comments — Trail Improvements.”
