Jackson Park Trail Update

Thank you to everyone who wrote to Council and the levy committee in support of a Jackson Park Trail! And, thank you to Judy who spoke eloquently regarding the project at the June 17th public hearing on the projects being considered for the levy. All of you made a very strong and positive impression of the neighborhood support for a Jackson Park Trail.

Thank you also to King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson who generously wrote in support for Jackson Park Trail. A copy of his e-mail is at the Jackson Park Trail Google Group here.

Where are we now?
The levy committee will be communicating their recommendations in a final report to City Council on Friday, June 27th. We have heard that it is likely that Jackson Park Trail will not be in the final levy package, but that it will be a highly recommended project for the “opportunity fund.” The opportunity fund would be a pool of funding held for projects to apply for after a levy passes.

There is strong support at the Seattle Parks Department and from Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher for Jackson Park Trail. And, Parks is looking at the possibility of at least partially funding trails at all Seattle Municipal Golf Courses through bonds on golf course revenue. If this does not work out, or if it is not enough to do the project, we will apply for funding through the levy opportunity fund.

Next steps:

• We will keep you posted as we learn more about the possibility of funding the trail through golf course bonds.
• We will apply for a City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Small and Simple Matching Fund grant ($15,000) to fund an initial design phase for a Jackson Park Trail. Public meetings and discussions of what the community would like to see in the park would be key parts to developing a trail design. The earliest that design discussions would start is likely in January/February 2009.

View the Jackson Park Trail Google Group here.