Phase 1 of the Water Ditch Trail Complete
The City of Tacoma has announced the completion of phase 1 of the historic Water Ditch Trail. What was phase one? It included rebuilding approximately 2 miles of the historic trail to a Class 1 bike path with 14-feet-wide asphalt and rock shoulders. The trail segment between South 47th to South 56th streets included lighting through the park area. In the segment between South 60th to South 72nd streets the work included the reconstruction of several intersections. The new trail segments now have curb ramps and crossings that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The design work for Phase II has already begun and the City will be seeking grant funds this year to complete the construction phase.
The trail was originally part of a 110-year-old trail system that crossed Tacoma and extended to Mt. Rainier, and remnants of the historic 1896 Water Ditch Trail “spine” are still used today. As more funding becomes available, the remaining project phases will restore the entire 6.5-mile trail, which will provide the only trail linking South Tacoma with the downtown, Tacoma Dome area and the Thea Foss Waterway.
Maybe it’s time to dust off the bike and check it out … when it’s not hailing.
2 comments
K Ken March 9, 2009
I’ve run the completed length a couple of times and am disappointed that the soft asphalt and gravel shoulders still didn’t help me run faster than an 8:30 pace.
Seriously, it is a great little asset to the community and I have high hopes that it will connect with the community center and create a walkable/bikeable artery to SoTac. It would even be fun to add a fun-run aspect to the Car Show. Instead of having the diaper dash for the toddlers, we could have the beer crawl for the presenters.
All kinds of possibilities await.
T Thorax O'Tool March 9, 2009
This looks promising… I need some new scenery to run through.
Awesome though it may be, Wright Park does get old after a while…