New public trails are coming to 50 acres of preserved salmon habitat in Pierce County

The City of Gig Harbor continues to make progress on the txʷaalqəł Conservation Area through the recent adoption of a Property Management Plan for Phases 1 and 2. This plan is one step closer to public access to the Conservation Area and continues to solidify the city’s commitment to land conservation.

Conservation Area overview

The txʷaalqəł Conservation Area Phases 1 and 2 were acquired in 2022 and contain a combined 35.9 acres of land. These properties are mostly sensitive habitat, including wetlands, steep slopes and approximately 2,000 lineal feet of salmon-bearing stream.

Both phases are included in the Property Management Plan and were purchased with Conservation Futures funds.

Phase 3 is a 5.15 acre property also acquired in 2022. However, it is separated by Harborview Drive from the other two properties and, according to the city, does not have critical areas or fish habitat. Conservation Futures funds were not used for the purchase of Phase 3.

Finally, the city is working with Great Peninsula Conservancy to acquire the fourth phase, an 11.41 acre property located north of Phases 1 and 2. At the City Council meeting on May 28, Parks Manager Jennifer Haro said that they are anticipating acquisition within the next couple of months with no city funds spent on the property (with the exception of an environmental survey) thanks to their partnership with Great Peninsula Conservancy.

When complete, all four phases will total more than 50 acres of conserved land.

Property Management Plan

The txʷaalqəł Conservation Area property management plan was also adopted on a consent agenda at the May 28 City Council meeting. It outlines conservation priorities, long term management goals, a project plan timeline, and activities that will be allowed on conservation properties.

Conservation priorities include archaeological and historic landmark sites, critical salmon habitat, and trails and corridors. In an email, Haro highlighted that the plan complies with a 2023 agreement with the Puyallup Tribe, who helped the city purchase the Phase 1 property, and will allow them to have access to the site to engage in traditional gathering of native plants.

The Conservation Area was a significant part of txʷaalqəł, the main village site of the sxʷəbabč band of the Puyallup Tribe. Gig Harbor was “discovered” in 1840 and when more new European arrivals arrived in 1915, the sxʷəbabč inhabitants were forced to relocate to the Puyallup Reservation.

According to the Property Management Plan: “the Puyallup Tribe has confirmed that this particular site would have been vital to every day tribal life and has a high likelihood of archaeological findings/cultural resources.”

The tribe and city have partnered to preserve the sensitive and important anthropological resources and historical significance.

Additionally, the Management Plan notes the protection of critical salmon habitat. The biggest component of this protection is replacing the culvert under Harborview Drive with a bridge, which has long been deemed as obstructive for spawning salmon. As of April 2024, that plan is 60% complete.

The streamside vegetation also will be left intact with ongoing monitoring for invasive species. This healthy streamside forest means a higher likelihood of salmon species and wildlife (including priority species like bald eagles, osprey, and purple martin) thriving on the conserved land.

Public access is also a priority of the Management Plan. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a trail system and a long anticipated Cushman Trail connection to historic downtown Gig Harbor. Through close coordination with the Puyallup Tribe, the city plans to create low-impact interpretive trails (gravel with minimal tree removal) and a connector trail to the popular Cushman Trail by 2026.

Educational signage will be a partnership between the Harbor History Museum, Puyallup Tribe and city to share information about the area history, and signage will also identify native plants with their Twulshootseed names.

Long-term management

Prior to public trail access, the city will work to make the current bridge over North Creek safe for pedestrians and manage the vegetation on the trails. A spur trail with views of North Creek is planned, and benches will be placed along the trail system where appropriate. The timeline for the Phase 2 Loop trail is estimated to be complete in 2025, with the spur trail complete in 2026.

The North Creek culvert removal timeline spans through 2027, and there are ongoing discussions on potentially replacing the Remote Site Incubator (RSI). The RSI is maintained by the Gig Harbor Fisherman’s Club and located at Donkey Creek, just downstream from North Creek. The Management Plan states: “If replaced, the city is asking for a 20-year commitment from the Fisherman’s Club.”

The city also plans to rezone the properties to a new Conservation Area status.

Currently, Phase 1 and Phase 2 are a mix of General Business District, Single-Family Residential and Medium Density Residential zones. Rezoning will limit allowed uses to passive recreation, with some allowances for facilities, including trailhead parking and restrooms.

Notably, staff will also photograph key parts of the conservation area every three years to monitor forest and stream conditions (overall trail maintenance and monitoring will be ongoing).

What’s next

With the Property Management Plan adopted, the city can begin progressing forward with rezoning, inspecting the North Creek pedestrian bridge, and completing plans for the Cushman Trail connection. While these items will take some time, the hope is for the public to enjoy the Conservation Area as soon as next year.

“We’re looking forward to getting the bridge on Phase 2 evaluated and opening the first trail to the public,” Haro said.

Carly Vester has been writing an environmental column for The Peninsula Gateway since 2019. Her storytelling focuses on the intersection of people and the outdoors — from adventures across the west, to our environment and the rich history surrounding it. Her documentary films have screened internationally and her writing has been published locally and regionally.