John Wayne Pioneer Trail Reconnection Route

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A Draft Ellensburg Trail Inerag+ency Agreement has been distributed to the City of Ellensburg, Washington State Parks and Recreation, Kittitas County, and Central Washington University. The format and conceptual approach has been based on the Spokane Centennial.. Trail and the Palouse Trail Cooperative Interagency Agreements, which involve two States, two Counties, two Universities and several Cities. The Draft Agreement has been reviewed briefly by some of these agencies, with only a few comments recieved to date. This is due to the preliminary nature of any committments that can. Presently be made by the City and State agencies. A considerable amount of discussion must take place internally at these critical stakeholder agencies prior to any interagency agree- ment to be signed by all parties. One of the principle elements of making this (or any trail) a success is to ensure that the re- sources to build, operate and maintain a high quality trail and linear park system are in place before proceeding with construction. Sufficient funding to tame care of newly constructed facilties is critical to work out with the Resource Management Agencies prior to begffining construction, and setting up plans and personnel to be the stewards of the trail so construction funds are not wasted by later neglect. The public does not usually support public agencies building new facilities unless they have demonstrated their ability to take care of existing facilities. Some basic assumptions included in this report are that the trail would be maintained primarily in the spring, summer and fall and that snow would not be plowed. It is estimated that at a minimum) the new completed Ellensburg Greenway trail would cost approximately $40,000- 5o,000 per year to maintain adequately. This would include x Seasonal Trail Manager from April -October @SY51hr, plus equipment rental (sweeper, pickup, blower, dump fees, repair and signage budget). See appendix for further information. jobn ftyne Pioneer Trail Reconnection Study Final Report 60 September 2001