Canterwood residents concerned about Cushman Trail extension

Some residents of the Canterwood residential development are concerned about the planned extension to Gig Harbor’s Cushman Trail. The addition to the trail is slated to cut through a wooded area behind Canterwood and loop around the parking lot of St. Anthony’s Hospital.

According to the City of Gig Harbor website, Cushman Trail is a 6.2-mile trail developed through a partnership between Pierce County and Tacoma Power Utility. The paved trail is 12 to 16 feet wide and has trailheads at Borgen Boulevard, Hollycroft Street and Grandview Street. There is also a trailhead and parking lot south of the city at 14th Avenue Northwest maintained by PenMet Parks.

Canterwood residents shared their concerns during a City Council meeting on July 13.

Mike and Debbie Doran are worried about the security issues posed by the trail expansion. “We appreciate the trail development as an outdoor recreational feature of the area. So, we are glad to see it progressing,” the Dorans wrote in a public comment. “With the present proposed route, however, many people will be walking or riding right along our property border daily.”

Robert Quigley echoed the Dorans’ concerns, writing that he does not oppose a trail extension on principle but is worried that it will make his property less private by cutting down the trees between his home and the hospital.

“When we purchased our home it was our understanding that this area was a conservancy plat. If so, we would be very concerned about the potential deforestation of any of this property,” Quigley wrote in a comment. “The existing plat provides a significant buffer between our homes and the hospital. The deforestation of this area and the unbuffered proximity of the trail to our homes could negatively impact the values of our Canterwood homes and our investment in Gig Harbor.”

Jim and Mary Ingalls of the Peaks in Canterwood, whose comment was not submitted in time to be read at the City Council meeting, share Quigley’s and the Dorans’ concerns.

“We understand the trail needs to be built but would ask the city of Gig Harbor to please consider building the trail as close to the hospital parking lot as possible in order to continue to allow us the privacy we have enjoyed for the last 2 years not to mention the fact security for people of our age,” they wrote.

Jeff Langhelm, public works director for the City of Gig Harbor, said that during previous extensions of Cushman Trail, residents voiced similar concerns. However, he said people are generally glad to have the trail close to their homes.

Langhelm said his office has not observed increases in crime around the trail. Public Works already has approval for the trail’s planned route through the Canterwood-adjacent woods.

Miriam Franciso is a summer intern reporter. Reach her at miriam.francisco@thenewstribune.com

This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 9:00 PM.