After years of planning, a new multi-use trail is now on the horizon. A ten-foot wide trail for walkers and bikers has been designed and construction will begin later in 2014. The trail will start behind the stone cottage near the Madison Street entrance. The trail will run parallel to Lake Washington Blvd. and end at the north end of the park connecting to Arboretum Drive to form a loop. The route will meander through areas that are not frequently seen. New grading and bridges will allow walkers and bikers to get through wetlands that are only dry in the hottest weather. Arboretum Creek will be daylighted and the Azalea Way pond enlarged.
The paving material will be user-friendly for strollers, wheelchairs and bike riders going a slow speed. Bicycle commuters who travel with the traffic flow will be encouraged to continue to drive on Lake Washington Blvd. The parking lots at Interlaken Blvd. and at the north end of the park will be enlarged and paved.
Andy Sheffer, from the Seattle Park Dept. is the manager for this project. He recently met with the Montlake CC board to review the trail details, now that the public comment period is over and the plan is moving forward. The board expressed concern that the Park Dept. and/or Seattle Dept. of Transportation need to add signage to Montlake streets showing access to the new trail at Lynn St., Boyer Ave. and Interlaken Blvd. Some of the funds for this project are from WSDOT which is required to provide mitigation (enhancements) for the disruption to the neighborhood caused by SR-520 construction.
Julee Neuhart
Montlake Community Club President
montlaker says
Very excited to have this new trail through the Arboretum!