Public trail upgrades connecting Pierce County in 2024

A series of trail projects across Pierce County reflects a growing movement to connect communities and restore ecosystems. The expansion of existing trails, such as the addition of a new bridge to extend the Foothills Trail to 22 miles, illustrates the effort to create continuous routes for pedestrians and cyclists. Future projects like the spuyaləpabš trail aim to honor local indigenous culture while providing pathways linking major urban areas.

The White River restoration project is addressing environmental concerns like flood mitigation and habitat preservation alongside public recreation. These initiatives often involve significant financial investment and collaboration between public agencies, local governments and other organizations.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Spiketon Ditch Bridge is unsafe for public access, and it will be closed for a minimum of one to two years. The bridge is on the Foothills Trail between South Prairie and Buckley. By Alexis Krell

NO. 1: PART OF THIS POPULAR 21-MILE TRAIL IN PIERCE COUNTY WILL BE CLOSED FOR AT LEAST A YEAR

The county and the bridge designer and manufacturer determined it must undergo major repairs or replacements. | Published April 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angelica Relente

A rendering of the planned 12-mile-long spuyaləpabš Trail between Tacoma, Puyallup and Fife. By Courtesy

NO. 2: FUTURE TRAIL WILL CONNECT TACOMA, PUYALLUP AND FIFE - MANY WILL HAVE TO LEARN THE NAME

The name honors the Puyallup Tribe. | Published May 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

Heavily wooded and deeply shaded, the land around Gig Harbor’s North Creek is perfect salmon habitat.

NO. 3: NEW PUBLIC TRAILS ARE COMING TO 50 ACRES OF PRESERVED SALMON HABITAT IN PIERCE COUNTY

Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a trail system with a connection to historic downtown Gig Harbor. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Carly Vester

The Carbon Glacier Corridor, which encompasses Wilkeson and Carbonado, offers a gateway to the northwest area of Mount Rainier National Park. By Courtesy of Pierce County Parks

NO. 4: ‘CRUCIAL’ UNDEVELOPED PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL WILL BECOME 3.5 MILES FOR BIKERS, PEDESTRIANS

Without the trail, the only route connecting the towns is the highway. The goal is for the trail to reach Mount Rainier National Park. | Published July 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angelica Relente

From left to right: Drew Bontrager, Cheryl Olson, Edgewood Mayor Dave Olson and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. Bontrager is Dave Olson’s son-in-law, and Cheryl Olson is Dave Olson’s wife. By Courtesy of Dave Olson

NO. 5: $20 MILLION-PLUS WILL BUILD THE MISSING MILE OF THIS POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL

Eight years after his cardiac arrest, the mayor walked 19 miles in one day to raise funds for the trail. “With my doctor’s encouragement upon discharge to ‘go live your life,’ I have done just that,” he said. | Published August 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angelica Relente

The White River Restoration Project is in phase one, which consist moving earth, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Sumner, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 6: WHAT’S UP WITH ALL THE CONSTRUCTION HULLABALOO NEAR EAST VALLEY HIGHWAY IN SUMNER?

It’s part of a multi-million-dollar city project. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angelica Relente

The newly opened Foothills Trail bridge connects King and Pierce County over the White River, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Buckley, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 7: NEW $16 MILLION BRIDGE EXTENDS POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL TO 22 MILES, INTO KING COUNTY

The span is also an emergency route. Vehicles and pedestrians can use it if a disaster damages the state Route 410 bridge, a news release said. | Published October 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexis Krell

The proposed site where a 256,800 sq ft office/warehouse building would be built on about 19.65 acres of vacant land on the west side of Sequalichew Drive, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 in DuPont, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 8: PROPOSED WAREHOUSE NEAR POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL WOULD REMOVE MORE THAN 450 TREES

“Nobody wants a warehouse in their backyard, but everybody also wants to be able to order stuff on Amazon and have it there the next day,” the development manager said. | Published October 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.