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Update: In 2006 the Wenatchee Valley Trails Coalition became an official committe of the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust.
History: The Wenatchee Valley Trails Coalition was formed following a December 2002 community meeting held to discuss recreational trails and public access to Wenatchee’s western foothills. From January 2003 to 2006, a group of dedicated volunteers worked to develop a vision and goals for guiding public use of trails in the foothills. With assistance from the National Park Service’s Rivers and Trails Program, the Chelan-Douglas Health District, and the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, the WVTC is beginning to work on a community trails plan that will be developed around trail corridors already in use in the foothills, and will suggest future improvements to this trail system. In 2005, the Wenatchee Valley Trails Coalition and partner organizations will present a Draft Wenatchee Foothills Trail Plan to the public, and will ask for public input. A final Wenatchee Foothills Trail Plan will then be submitted for adoption by the City of Wenatchee, Chelan County, and other public agencies.
What is the Wenatchee Valley Trails Coalition? The WVTC is a citizens’ group that is gathering community input and working with landowners, the public, and government agencies to develop non-motorized recreational trails in the Wenatchee foothills.
Our Mission: To work with the Wenatchee community to develop and implement the Wenatchee Foothills Trail, a network of non-motorized trails in Wenatchee’s western foothills.
Our Goals:
• To work with the public and with stakeholders, including private landowners, to design and implement the Wenatchee Foothills Trail, a network of trails for non-motorized recreation in the area between Circle Street (to the south) and Horselake Road (to the north).
• To enhance opportunities for adults and children to enjoy Wenatchee Valley’s non-motorized trails for fitness and personal well-being.
• To promote the economic and public health benefits of paths and trails in the Wenatchee Valley.
• To preserve, protect, and improve wildlife habitat and public open space in Wenatchee’s foothills.
Trail System Landowners:
Chelan County PUD
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust
City of Wenatchee
Private Landowners
State of Washington Department of Natural Resources
United States Bureau of Land Management
United States Forest Service
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the trails coalition?
Where will the trails be located?
Don't we already have trails? Why do we need a Wenatchee Foothills Trails project?
Who is paying for these trails?
Who will maintaing the trails once they are built?
How can I help?
What is the trails coalition? The Wenatchee Valley Trails Coalition is a group of local residents working with private landowners, representatives from local governments, and land-management agencies to develop and implement a public non-motorized trails plan for Wenatchee’s western foothills. The Wenatchee Foothills Trail project includes trail planning, public outreach and education, fundraising, and on-the-ground trail work.
Where will the trails be located? The Wenatchee Foothills Trails Plan encompasses an area from Circle Street in south Wenatchee extending north to Horse Lake Road. It includes some of the lands around Saddlerock, Number Two Canyon, Castlerock, Number One Canyon, and the Sage Hills. Property owners include private individuals, the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, and several public agencies (Washington State DNR, Chelan County PUD, US Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service).
Don’t we already have trails? Why do we need a Wenatchee Foothills Trail project? Many of the existing trails are “bootleg” trails. The trails were not professionally designed or planned. Many trails are prone to rutting and erosion. Some routes are objectionable to local landowners. Moreover, access to the trails is creating problems as the City of Wenatchee grows westward, and open space is lost. Trails provide public-health benefits, educational experiences, and economic opportunities in the communities where they are located. The Trails Coalition believes working with community partners and landowners will improve and maintain the trail system to better serve the community and neighboring landowners.
Who is paying for these trails? The Trails Coalition is a volunteer effort funded by donations and grants. We have received administrative support from the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, a $5,000 trails-planning grant from the Chelan-Douglas Health District, and technical assistance from the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program. The Trails Coalition will continue to seek grants, donations, and state recreation funds for development and maintenance of the Wenatchee Foothills Trail.
Who will maintain the trails once they are built? This is not completely decided. One management model is a partnership between public agencies, landowners, and a non-profit trail management organization. The planning process will help answer this question.
How can I help? Attend our monthly meetings, participate on one of our sub-committees, volunteer for a trail work party, or help with public outreach activities. For more information, please contact:
Chelan-douglas Land Trust
Telephone: 667-9708
E-mail: cdlt@cdlandtrust.org
Wenatchee Valley Trails Coalition (WVTC) Who We Are (pdf file)
WVTC - Accomplishments (pdf file)
WVTC - FAQs (pdf file)