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Pierce County Parks Update – June 2025

By Travis Curry, Regional Trails Planner, Pierce County Parks

Spring has sprung, the sun is out, and it’s time to get outside! There’s a lot of exciting action in the Pierce County trails system. 

Pipeline Trailhead at Orangegate South Park Grand Opening

We’re planning a community party to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Pipeline Trail Extension and Trailhead at Orangegate Park. The celebration will be at the Orangegate Park Trailhead on Saturday, June 28. Stay tuned for more details!

The Pipeline Trail is a partnership between Pierce County, the City of Tacoma, and Tacoma Public Utilities. The 1.3-mile extension from 72nd and Waller to Orangegate Park is nearly complete, creating 5.6 miles of uninterrupted trail. Future County extensions will add another 5.5 miles, connecting South Hill’s Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail to the City of Tacoma expanding options for active transportation and recreation. Visit the project website at www.PierceCountyWA.gov/PipelineTrail for more information.

Pierce County Parks is developing a community park on the 148-acre property known as Orangegate Park. The updated Master Plan, adopted in 2021 after community input, reflects a vision that balances natural preservation with active recreation and community use.

Currently, the “Orangegate North” area (the 40-acre area north of 84th Street East) is closed due to forest health improvements. We anticipate a grand opening in mid-2026. Learn more at www.PierceCountyWA.gov/Orangegate. 

Spiketon Ditch Bridge Closure Update

Pierce County Parks is constructing a new permanent bridge over Spiketon Ditch, located along the Foothills Trail. In June 2024, the original Spiketon Ditch Bridge was demolished due to extensive structural failure. The opening of the Spiketon Ditch Bridge is now expected in late summer to early fall. During construction, crews found unstable soil near the bridge supports, requiring additional testing and design work. We understand this delay is frustrating and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to complete this important project safely and responsibly. 

To receive updates about this project and other Foothills Trail alerts, please sign up to receive email updates at www.PierceCountyWA.gov/FoothillsAlerts.

Fairfax Bridge Closure 

As of Monday, April 14, 2025, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) permanently closed the state Route 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge to all vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Pierce County is actively collaborating with interagency partners – including WSDOT, local jurisdictions, and land management agencies – to explore safe, long-term solutions for access, connectivity, and public safety in the Carbon River Corridor and surrounding areas. Please respect closures and use caution – recreation in the area is at your own risk. Please note that standard Pierce County Parks rules and policies remain in effect in this area.

Foothills Trail Extension – Wilkeson to Carbonado Engagement

Pierce County Parks, the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and the National Parks Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) are exploring a trail extension between Wilkeson and Carbonado. A community survey will launch this summer to gather feedback on trail features and amenities. Please participate and help shape the future of the trail! 

The Wilkeson to Carbonado extension fits into a broader planning effort to extend the Foothills Trail from South Prairie to Mount Rainier National Park. Pierce County Parks will continue to evaluate routes between South Prairie and Wilkeson over the next couple years. 

Parkland Community Trail 

The Parkland Community Trail will run 1.8 miles from Sprinker Recreation Center (Sprinker) to the north side of Tule Lake Road on the southern edge of the Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Campus. Built in the right-of-way with a buffer from the street, the trail will offer a safe, accessible route for all users. The route aligns with the findings of Action Mapping Project’s youth engagement in the Parkland community and is the first phase of trail investments designed to enhance active transportation infrastructure in this dense, underserved neighborhood that has very few sidewalks or bike lanes.  

Phase 1 design is nearly complete. Construction is expected to start this summer and finish by summer 2026. It will connect Sprinker to Brookdale Elementary, PLU, Parkland Prairie Nature Preserve, and Gonyea Park. Features include a wide paved trail, bridge, safe crossings, signs, drainage, and landscaping. 

Phase 2 is in the planning stage and will connect the trail through PLU to Washington High School and Keithley Middle School, with more extensions under evaluation. For more details, visit: www.PierceCountyWA.gov/ParklandCommunityTrail. 

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Rainier to Ruston 2025 – A Memorable Event!

By Dan Bucci, President, Foothills Coalition

The 23rd running of the annual Rainier to Ruston Relay took place on June 7th, 2025 with 309 teams and approximately 1,500 runners taking to the Foothills Trails in Pierce County to celebrate National Trails Day. The event serves as the single largest fundraiser and revenue source for the Foothills Coalition Operating budget making it an extremely important event for the vitality and sustainability of the coalition.

The 2025 edition did not come without challenges! With just about two months until race day, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced the closure of the historic Fairfax Bridge just outside of Carbonado. The bridge serves as the only access point to cross the Carbon river and reach the traditional starting line for the event just outside the Carbon River Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. This also caused the event to lose any access to the first two legs of the race which totaled about 13 miles. Race Director Sabrina Seher and Course Director Jerry Gamze quickly began scoping alternative routes and moved the start line to the town of Carbonado and replaced the two lost legs with legs in Tacoma which ran through downtown Tacoma, Stadium District, the North End and along the Tacoma Waterfront. Despite the change, the spirit of the event held up and runners made the traverse across a large part of Pierce County under sunny skies and warm temperatures on a beautiful summer day.

When runners finished, they were greeted at Cummings Park along Ruston Way in Tacoma with beautiful views of Mount Rainier and Puget Sound, as well as a beer garden featuring beer from Silver City Brewery and Athletic Brewing, and sandwiches and snacks to begin their recovery! Many teams hung out at the park for hours enjoying the wonderful weather and cheering for teams as they finished.

Teams of 2, 3, 4 or 6 runners tackle the 51 miles split over 12 legs running through the Foothills Communities of Carbonado, Wilkeson, South Prairie, Orting and Puyallup following the Foothills and River Walk Trails. As they progress further west the runners generally follow the Puyallup River through Fife and the Port of Tacoma. The race is designed to showcase the future vision of a non-motorized trail connecting Mount Rainier National Park to Tacoma. While large segments of the trail still don’t exist, the race generally follows the envisioned future routes that a trail might follow once it is developed.

In addition to the scores of runners that participate in the race, the event requires upwards of 100 volunteers and crew members to make the event a success. As always, the running community, Foothills Coalition members and supporters, and Foothills Coalition board members stepped up and gave their time to make the event a huge success.

The event will continue to face routing challenges with the long term closure of the Fairfax Bridge, and it will be many years before the race can return to Carbon Canyon. With that said, the race crew is already looking at ideas for the 2026 event to bring more of the event back to trails, and showcase other communities along the Foothills Trail as a long term alternate route. A huge amount of gratitude goes out to all the participants, volunteers, race staff and supporters for making the 2025 event a huge success!

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Board Member Spotlight: Steve Brown

By Ashton Brown, Editor, Trail Line News

If you’ve spent any time on the Foothills Trail or been part of the local cycling community, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Steve Brown, or at least benefited from his decades of passion and dedication to the outdoors. A board member of the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition since 2011, Steve has long been a driving force behind the organization’s vision, dedicating countless volunteer hours to protect, maintain, and expand Pierce County’s trail system.

Steve grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, and was brought to Federal Way for a job at Weyerhaeuser, in the 1980s. Soon after his move, the journey into local trail advocacy began. He joined the Tacoma Wheelmen (now the Tacoma Washington Bicycle Club) at age 27, and the group’s weekly meetings connected him with the original pioneers of the Foothills Trail like Ernie Bay and he quickly found his place among a group of passionate outdoor enthusiasts.

A lifelong cyclist, backpacker, and cross-country skier, Steve describes his younger self as a “weekend warrior,” hitting the outdoors for hours a day every weekend, burning off all the calories accumulated during the work week. 

Steve has always enjoyed outdoor activities for the adventure, not the competition, challenging himself with endeavors like cycling the Olympic Peninsula, embarking on a nine-day solo bike tour from Tacoma to Portland and back, and hiking local mountains including Rainier, Hood, Adams, and St. Helens.

“I’m a member of the YMCA,” he joked, “but I never go, I just feel more productive outside – whether it’s going on the trail, or just doing some gardening, being outside in the fresh air is always better than being inside at the gym.” 

While a hip issue now keeps him away from the long-distance strenuous adventures of days past, Steve hasn’t slowed down. He walks the Foothills Trail regularly and is an active member of the Washington State Hi-Lakers, a volunteer group that surveys alpine lakes and works with Washington Fish & Wildlife to stock them. 

After entering retirement in 2009 after being laid off, Steve was presented with the great opportunity of dedicating more time than ever to his interest in the outdoors. He now volunteers up to 200 hours a year, mostly for the Foothill Coalition.

A sizable portion of those hours come from his involvement in the annual Rainier to Ruston Relay, the Coalition’s largest annual fundraiser. For nearly 20 years, he’s helped with everything from gravel inspections to trash pickups in anticipation of hosting thousands of runners. 

After more than two decades into his membership, Steve became a board member in 2011 and brought with him not only time and energy, but a strong desire to keep the Foothills Coalition on a path to success.

“I have this vested interest in local trails and enjoy staying really informed and up-to-date,” he said. “I think my knowledge and interest is valuable now and will continue to be down the line, as there are always challenges that we’ll be faced with.”

And during his nearly 40 years of involvement with local trails, Steve has seen the Coalition face its fair share of challenges, from a movement in the early 1990s to completely halt the progression of the Foothills Trail to current land use conflicts preventing the trail’s completion.

“Wilkeson still isn’t connected to Carbonado,” Steve said. “A lot of people who dreamed this dream have passed on. We want to see it done, a full route, separate from the roads, something people can bike or backpack over multiple days.” 

The good news? Progress continues – whether it’s the increasing volunteer support or the impending construction of the Doc Tait Memorial Plaza, which has been in the works for decades.

In addition to completing a trail from Mt. Rainier to the Puget Sound, Steve sees one of the most important missions of the trail to be building healthy communities and creating positive lifelong habits for the community. 

“Cycling and trails, those are the causes I’ve chosen to stick with. They’re great for the community. It’s not just about getting healthy later in life, it’s about making those habits possible from the start,” he said. “And that’s easier for everyone when local trails are accessible to all.”

Steve Brown continues to be a cornerstone of the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and his journey is far from over.

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President’s Message: March 2025

By Dan Bucci, President, Foothills Coalition

Hello Members! I hope you have been having a fantastic winter season and are looking forward to the return of spring (I know I am) and more time outdoors and on the trail. As always, we have a lot going on at the FTC, but I’ll leave those updates for other sections in the newsletter this time around. For this edition, I want to use my space to cover some broader recent issues surrounding public lands that impact us all.

As I write this, less than a week ago the Trump Administration announced large cuts to the federal workforce. Among these cuts were thousands, if not tens of thousands of jobs that impact public lands and outdoor recreation. These two things are not only popular but are part of the fabric and identity of our western states including Washington. The National Forest Service alone lost close to 3,500 employees and has already closed trailheads and recreational spaces in Washington citing staffing issues. The National Park Service will certainly struggle with the upcoming visitation season as well as they also are impacted by the cuts. The positions cut include park rangers, maintenance staff, wildland firefighters, and more. These agencies were already spread thin trying to complete the herculean task of keeping public lands safe, maintained, and pristine and these cuts will only make things harder.

Federal funds and grants are also a significant part of funding that goes to the states and local governments to fund local parks and trails, it is yet to be seen how these will be impacted, but given what we have seen done in the last few weeks I’d expect some of these funds could be frozen or cut. The issues are not only at the federal level. Washington State is facing a large budget gap which needs to be dealt with this legislative session. Agencies with ties to public lands such as Washington State Parks are also seeing potential budget cuts. So, what’s the point? Well, we seem to be entering a period where public lands are at risk, which will have negative ramifications not only on existing parks and trails, but the ability to complete projects for new ones.

I don’t need to espouse to you all the benefits of trails, but I think it bears reiterating that trails, such as the Foothills Trails are essential for a happy and healthy population. Parks and trails provide safe, maintained spaces for people to recreate in all different ways. They connect communities, they serve as economic engines and tourism destinations, and as a whole they lead to healthier and happier communities. They also enjoy broad and more importantly bi-partisan public support. I just read a recent poll conducted in eight western states that showed overwhelming support against budget and staffing cuts to the National Parks and National Forests. This support was independent of political beliefs as both red and blue states ranged from 68-80% of those polled being against reductions in support for public lands. Something that enjoys such broad support from the public (as few items do these days) should not be something for which we reduce funding. This seems antithetical to a government that is supposed to reflect the will and desires of its voters.

Closer to home, we can expect to see the impact of these cuts firsthand in one of the true gems of the world right in our backyard, Mount Rainier National Park. The Mountain and its surrounding land has been protected for over 100 years as a National Park. Over the last few years, the park has attracted around 1.8 million visitors each year. That’s close to the equivalent of every citizen of Pierce County visiting the park twice a year. The park is an international travel destination and supports countless local and small businesses in communities all over Pierce County, especially the smaller communities which lie along SR 7, SR 162/165 or SR 410. Any funding or staffing cuts that impact Mount Rainier should be of immediate concern to citizens in Pierce County.

Lastly, you might ask how this impacts the Foothills Trail and why I’ve taken this space to editorialize a bit more than normal? The bottom line is that the Foothills Trail does not exist in a vacuum. Despite it being a county park, the FTC would not exist without federal and state funding and grants. The FTC would not exist if it was not linking communities and destinations. The future of the FTC relies on a healthy, well-staffed and functioning NFS and NPS as they are critical partners in completing a trail through Carbon Canyon, and our vision of a trail that connects Mount Rainier National Park to the Tacoma waterfront. The FTC itself has been the beneficiary of state and federal funds to progress trail studies and projects.

It is important at this time to make sure we are doing all we can to make our voices heard and make sure public lands don’t get left behind in budgetary and political battles. We need to be engaged with our local and state officials, and make sure our federal representatives hear us loud and clear that staffing cuts to public lands are not acceptable. We need to participate in local, state and national elections and support those who share that view. And now, more than ever, we need to continue to offer support to the plethora of trail nonprofits that are fighting the good fight to protect and expand public lands, and equitable outdoor access to ensure we have happy and healthy communities. As I’ve said before, and will say again here, we are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place as Washington State and have access to so many amazing outdoor spaces. Let’s make our voices heard to ensure that is a reality that exists for generations to come.

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Spiketon Ditch Bridge Update

Spiketon Ditch Bridge Closure Update

By Travis Curry, Regional Trails Planner, Pierce County Parks

The Spiketon Ditch Bridge on the Foothills Trail was demolished in June 2024 due to extensive structural failure. Pierce County Parks will construct a new permanent bridge over Spiketon Ditch. Pierce County Parks has selected a contractor and final permitting is underway. Construction is anticipated to start in Spring 2025. The bridge is expected to open by the end of Summer 2025. To receive updates about this project and other Foothills Trail alerts, please sign up to receive email updates at www.piercecountywa.gov/FoothillsAlerts.

Current Status:

On May 28, 2024, the Pierce County Executive issued an Emergency Proclamation allowing expedited demolition of the bridge to protect public safety. Replacement options are not simple, fast, or cheap. Extensive engineering and permitting are required to construct the new bridge over a waterway. Pierce County Parks is working across County Departments and permitting agencies to determine the most expedient way to replace the bridge. Pierce County Parks is also looking at all planned trail closure projects to determine whether closures can be aligned to reduce trail impacts in the coming years.

Communications:

The 0.75-mile trail section remains closed from the Lower Burnett Bridge (1 mile east of South Prairie) to 268th Avenue Court East (4 miles west of Buckley). Do not enter the closure area. There are no bicycle or pedestrian detours available through the area. Trail users will have to turn back the way they came.

During the closure, the remainder of the Foothills Trail is open. The following are approximate trail mileages on either side of the closure:

  • East Puyallup Trailhead to closure: 17 miles
  • McMillin to closure: 12 miles
  • Orting to closure: 9 miles
  • South Prairie to closure: 1 mile
  • Buckley to closure: 4 miles

Please visit the project website for regular updates. Updates will also be provided through the email listserv, social media posts, trail signage, and messaging for partner organizations.

Background:

The original Spiketon Ditch Bridge was constructed in 2009. It was designed as a wooden bridge to reflect the historic character of the railroad corridor, consistent with the adopted trail design guidelines in the Foothills Trail Master Plan. In 2016, a similar bridge approximately 0.3 mile east was demolished by treefall and replaced with a steel plate arch structure. Every two years, Pierce County’s Bridge Engineering Team inspects all bridges in the park system. In 2023, the team identified progressive bridge damage and recommended further analysis. A bridge assessment was ordered, which showed potential failure, and the bridge was closed in late November 2023.

An assessment by the bridge manufacturer found that the original bridge stressed under its own weight, and additional load increased the chance of collapse.

For project updates and information on other projects throughout the Pierce County Parks network, visit the Projects & Plans website at www.piercecountywa.gov/5340/Projects-Plans.

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Foothills Trail Development Gains Momentum with National Park Service Grant

By Shayla Miles, Executive Director

Exciting developments are on the horizon for the Foothills Trail! The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and Pierce County Parks have secured a significant boost from the National Park Service (NPS) Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program. This prestigious grant will provide crucial technical support for designing and engaging the community on a key 3.5-mile segment of the trail between Wilkeson and Carbonado.

Kicking off this fall, the project will focus on gathering public input to shape the trail’s design. The aim is to ensure the trail meets local needs and aligns with the broader vision of connecting this trail segment to Mount Rainier National Park.

The NPS-RTCA program is known for its support of grassroots conservation and recreation projects. While the grant doesn’t offer monetary assistance, it provides essential technical assistance, helping communities like ours turn their outdoor recreation dreams into reality.

For this project, the emphasis will be on pre-design work and public engagement to ensure the trail’s development reflects community needs and expectations.

The Carbon Glacier Corridor, which includes Wilkeson and Carbonado, serves as a gateway to the northwest region of Mount Rainier National Park. The undeveloped stretch of the Foothills Trail here has long been a community focus, seen as vital for active transportation, recreation, and local economic growth.

The new trail will offer sustainable transportation options, promote healthier lifestyles, and boost local businesses by increasing foot traffic. It will also enhance safety and provide a much-needed alternative to the current highway route between Wilkeson and Carbonado.
Pre-design feasibility work began in early 2024 and public engagement will begin in Fall 2024 extending into 2025. If funding is available, design could commence in 2026 with construction as soon as 2028. These timelines are subject to County Council budget approval and staff availability to move this project forward without delay.

The Foothills Coalition and Pierce County Parks thank the National Park Service for its support and eagerly anticipate working with the community to realize this vision!

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Celebrating the Success of the 2024 All Along the Riverwalk Festival

By John Hopkins, Board Member

Our 2024 All Along the Riverwalk event was a resounding success, bringing the community together for a day of fun, art, and discovery. This year, we saw our efforts double the attendance compared to last year, and we’re thrilled to have increased the number of vendors who contributed to making the day special. With a lineup of wonderful entertainment, Veterans Park was buzzing with energy and excitement.

One of the day’s highlights was the area teeming with kids enjoying the foam maker and bouncing around in the inflatable houses. The laughter and joy in the air made it clear that this was a day to remember for families. For aspiring artists, the event was particularly significant as we offered space free of charge, giving them a valuable opportunity to showcase their work and gain exposure within the community. This decision was met with great enthusiasm, allowing new talents to shine and connect with an appreciative audience.

Hosting this event on Trails Day was strategic, as it helped to showcase the beauty of the Riverwalk in Puyallup and introduce many people to this trail for the first time. The positive feedback we received indicates increased interest in the Riverwalk Trail.
We extend our thanks to our many partners, including the City of Puyallup and Arts Downtown, whose support was instrumental in making this event a success.

As we celebrate this year’s achievements, we’re already looking ahead to 2025. Stay tuned for updates on our website, ​​allalongtheriverwalk.org, as we prepare for another fantastic year of community, art, and nature along the Riverwalk.

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