State Parks sets JW Trail meetings at Cheney, Ellensburg

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has scheduled two initial meetings which will cover the same planning topics for the John Wayne Trail. The first meeting will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Cheney City Hall Auditorium, 609 2nd Street, Cheney. The second meeting will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, in Room 137A of the Student Union and Recreation Center at Central Washington University, 400 E. University Way, Ellensburg.

These meetings are the first of two rounds of public meetings in which State Parks staff will gather information and comments from the public that will help lead to a long-term plan for the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. At these meetings, State Parks staff will have a presentation followed by a breakout session to collect public comments on a range of trail-related issues, including noxious weed and vegetation management, trailhead and camping opportunities, fencing and trail-use permits.

The public may provide written comments at the meeting, online or by contacting Randy Kline, Parks Planner, (360) 902-8632 or [email protected].

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail section undergoing public planning is part of the Iron Horse State Park Trail that extends 285 miles from North Bend to the Idaho border and comprises most of the former Milwaukee Road Railroad corridor. The eastern portion of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail begins on the east side of the Columbia River and extends 175 miles east to the Idaho border.

In winter 2015, State Parks began working with a 12-member advisory committee to produce a plan to address management and recreational use issues on this section of the trail. The advisory committee was formed after a controversy emerged from an ill-fated legislative attempt to close down a portion of the trail between Malden and the Columbia. The advisory committee is made up of trail supporters and neighboring ranchers who have complained about state shortcomings in maintaining and operating the trail.

Planning for the 110-mile western portion of the Iron Horse State Park Trail from Cedar Falls, near North Bend, to Beverly Bridge at the Columbia River was completed in 2000.

In 2014, State Parks completed planning for the 35-mile section of railroad corridor between Malden and the Idaho border.

State Parks has completed more than 100 land-use plans for parks around the state through its Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) public process. The CAMP process addresses issues such as day-use and camping opportunities, overall visitor experience, natural resources and other topics of interest to the community.