Sumner Waits for Trail Grant in State Budget

While the state wades through an extra budget session, Sumner’s outdoor enthusiasts wait for word on trail funding that would connect Seattle’s Interurban to the , creating a continuous, 38-mile link from Seattle to Mount Rainier.

“Sumner’s trail system is […] one piece of the system, but it’s one piece closer to a continuous trail from Seattle to Mount Rainier, making this a regional project rather than just a Sumner thing,” said Carmen Palmer, spokesperson for the City of Sumner.

The city went through a lengthy application process last year, led by Palmer and Sumner Associate Engineer Ted Hill. The project received grant approval of $978,999 on the House and Senate level. Now, it’s a waiting game to see if the grant makes the final state budget not yet approved by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

The estimated $2.2 million project would connect 2,000 feet of trail along the White River near Sumner Meadows Golf Course. The multi-use, asphalt trail would include enough room for walkers and bikers and would connect the regional trail gap where the Interurban Trail ends and Foothills Trail begins.

Sumner received $2.29 million from federal funding for the trail and contributed $930,700 toward its completion. The city also received almost $800,000 at the state and county level and $661,000 from private donations. 

To help the state prioritize funding, the Recreation and Conservation Office ranks trail projects in order of importance. Sumner’s project ranks sixth out of 25 projects slated for grant approval for the 2011-2013 fiscal years.

Because the project made the Senate and House budgets and it’s ranked high on the Recreation and Conservation Office list, the odds of funding approval are in Sumner’s favor.

However, because of the current economic problems, the project could be put on hold.

“The legislators can keep the list out of funding completely (which we've heard is a strong possibility, given the situation at the State), or they can approve ‘X’ amount of funding that starts at the top of the list and then funds as far down as it goes, or they can reorder the list and fund specific projects,” said Palmer.

Connecting the trail could bring outdoor enthusiasts to Sumner’s doorstep, meaning more tourism, provide year-round and serve the more than 1 million people who live near the Mount Rainier corridor and estimated 1.7 million people who visit every year.