$20 million-plus will build the missing mile of this popular Pierce County trail
Edgewood’s mayor clocked about 51,000 steps in one day.
Dave Olson walked the 19-mile Interurban Trail from Tukwila to Fife July 15 to celebrate the anniversary of the day he survived a sudden cardiac arrest eight years ago.
His son-in-law walked with him, and he met with about 15 elected officials along the way, including local mayors, who agreed to walk segments of the trail with him that day.
“I was properly hydrated,” Olson told The News Tribune.
Olson started his walk at 7 a.m. and ended at 4:45 p.m. He said he wanted to walk the entire trail because he always tries to do something fun, special and physically challenging on the anniversary.
When Olson’s heart stopped eight years ago, his wife called 911 and gave him CPR. He woke up 12 days later in a hospital and was released about three weeks later.
“With my doctor’s encouragement upon discharge to ‘go live your life,’ I have done just that over the last eight years. Running for Mayor of Edgewood is simply the latest chapter in my journey,” Olson wrote in an email to The News Tribune on June 20.
During Olson’s walk, city officials gave him letters of support for a grant that could help build a missing piece of the trail between Edgewood and Pacific. He also received letters of support from Rep. Derek Kilmer, Rep. Adam Smith and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. The federal grant is through the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program.
On Jovita Boulevard East, there is a one-mile missing link of the Interurban Trail between 114th Avenue East and West Valley Highway. Olson said it is the most expensive and difficult portion of the trail because of the topography of the area.
“It’s a steep canyon,” Olson said.
Larry Leveen, executive director of ForeverGreen Trails, said constructing the missing link would mean more active recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.
The goal is to get a grant of about $15 million.
Olson said the city already has about $6-$8 million for the missing link project and needs $15 million more.
Olson said they submitted the grant application two days after his walk. It may take between six to nine months before they hear back, he said.
The soonest that Leveen expects the missing link to be finished is 2028, which he said may be overly optimistic.
When asked if he would walk the entire trail again, Olson said he would. He enjoyed interacting with other elected officials, and he said it was a fun experience overall.
“July 15 is a special day for me,” Olson said.
The Interurban Trail goes through Pierce County and King County cities including Tukwila, Kent, Auburn, Algona, Pacific, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton and Fife.
