june 2021 | trail line news | volume 35 | issue two b&o

J U N E 2 0 2 1 | T R A I L L I N E N E W S | VO LU M E 3 5 | I S S U E T WO

President’s MessageB&O Half Marathon to return this July By Stuart Scheuerman, Coalition President

By Dan Bucci

Continued on Page 2 Continued on Page 5

Photo courtesy of Foothills B&O Half Marathon

The year 2021 has been excitedly marked by the return of mass partic-ipation running events, and the B&O Half Marathon and 10K is no excep-tion. After being cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 along with scores

of other events, the Foothills Coalition is beyond excited for the return of this quintessential local race on July 17, 2021. Since its founding, the B&O Half and 10K has invited hundreds of runners per year to run the Foothills Trail between Buckley and Orting. The half marathon race begins in Buckley and follows the non-motorized Foothills Trail for the entirety of the race, ending in Orting. As runners glide down the gentle downhill course, they enjoy beautiful views of South Prairie Creek, the Carbon River and the surrounding Foot-hills. Along the way, runners will also capture glimpses of Mount Rainier, with a spectacular finish in Orting with the Mountain as a beautiful finish line backdrop. The course is truly unique, as the entire profile of the half marathon is a steady and gentle downhill, offering runners a perfect oppor-tunity to run a fast time!

The Foothills Rails to Trails Co-alition is off and running this spring. We have partnered with the Town of Carbonado to help improve the Foothills Trail that skirts around this community. Carbonado is the last community that the trail goes through before heading toward Mount Rainier National Park. We just finished a successful re-moval of many trees that had grown on top of or out of several histor-ical retaining walls that line the

Foothills Trail in the Carbon River Canyon area. The walls were first built when the railroad laid their tracks more than a hundred years ago. There was a real danger of los-ing parts of the historical retaining walls due to the large trees falling that were growing on top of and within the walls. We have been and will continue to improve the trail in the Carbon Canyon area with the help of our volunteers and those from the Backcountry Horsemen. The White River Flume Trail Feasibility Study was released in February 2021. This report inves-tigated the opening and improving sections along the Cascade Wa-

TRAIL LINE NEWS Issue 2

B&O Continued from Page 1 The race has become a favorite among Washing-tonians over the years, and even draws runners from out of state! As the race has grown since its founding, it has become an important fundraising event with all profits supporting the efforts of the Foothills Coalition to grow and maintain a network of non-motorized trails in Pierce County and beyond. The 2021 event will offer the same great course as years past. Runners will also receive a custom finish-er medal and t-shirt to commemorate their day. The race offers a half marathon and 10K and both events are walker-friendly with generous time allotments to finish. There are also volunteer opportunities for those who want to help with the event including helping with finish line activities and staffing fluid stations to serve the runners! As we have seen during the pandemic, getting out-side for a walk or a run and some fresh air has been great for helping people stay active and healthy. The B&O Half is a great opportunity to join like-minded people out for a great day on the trail, and earn some great swag in the process! For more information, or to register, please go to www.bnohalf.com.

Foothills Trail Coalition BoardPresident..................................................Stuart “Stu” Scheuerman (253) 405-5129, [email protected] President..........................................................Jeremiah Meacham (360) 829-5156, Jeremiah11@comcast.netSecretary..........................................................................Bryan Bowden (253) 847-3352, bryanbowden@live.comTreasurer.........................................................................Loras Gassman (563) 207-0735, [email protected] Members..........................................................Dan Bucci (908) 328-7567, booch82@gmail.com.............................................................................Steve Brown (253) 752-4038, tacomabike@yahoo.com................................................................................Bill Hilton (253) 302-1104, Billhltn@aol.com...............................................................................Pat Johnson (360) 829-2068, pat.johnson@tx3.net.......................................................................Nicole Martineau (253) 298-5635, Nestthisrobin@gmail.com...................................................................Matthew McCollum (253) 222-3492, mattmccollum@hotmail.com............................................................................John Peachey (253) 606-9080, jpeache@juno.com....................................................................Donald “Don” Rich (253) 381-8547, dcnjlrich@msn.com...............................................................................Dave Seago (253) 761-0709, daveseago@gmail.com................................................................................John Selby (253) 841-1767, JohnSelby16@gmail.com...........................................................................Felicia Shaviri (253) 237-4041, [email protected] ..............................................................................John Warhol (253) 347-0325, warhol66@comcast.net.............................................................................Ken Woolery (253) 863-4773, [email protected]

Publisher:The Trail Line News is published quarterly by the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition, P.O. Box 192, Puyallup, WA 98371. Our website is http://www.piercecountytrails.org/ and our email address is [email protected].

Mission: The mission of the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is to assist Pierce County government and communities in the creation, maintenance and usage of a connected system of non-motorized trails for healthier people from Mt. Rainier to Puget Sound. The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is a 503 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Trail Supporter Ads:Trail Supporter ads are published for a fee of $25 per quarter or $100 for one year, paid in advance to the Coalition and sent to the Ad Manager, Loras Gassmann, P.O. Box 192, Puyallup, WA.

Editing: The Trail Line News is edited by Ashton Brown, [email protected]. (253) 302-1104

Layout:The Trail Line News is designed by Charlene Binfet 253-951-8954, [email protected].

Printing: The Trail Line News is printed at L&L Printing and Graphics (253) 848-5546.


Regulation Refresher and E-Bike SafetyBy Brianne Blackburn, Planner & Trails Coordinator to the Pierce County Parks

marlenesmarket-deli.com

federal way253.839.0933

tacoma253.472.4080

Pierce County residents and visitors love trails. Whether you prefer to walk, bike, stroll, or roll, chanc-es are you have been out on the trails in the last year. Pierce County data shows a 57% increase in trail use from 2019 to 2020, accounting for over 1.6 million ad-ditional visits. This trend has continued in 2021 where, despite a record setting January rain event, the Foot-hills Trail saw double the traffic at almost every trail-head. The message is clear: a little rain won't stop peo-ple from getting out on the trail. As the days get longer, trail use is expected to rise even higher, making this the perfect moment to revisit trail safety and trail rules. Trail Rules and Regulations are posted at major trail heads and are available on the Pierce County Website. It's important to note that the Pierce County Trail sys-tem observes a 10 mph speed limit. For early morning and evening cyclists, head and taillights are required if it’s dark. You may be surprised to learn that even e-bikes, which are experiencing increasing popularity, must fol-low the 10 mph speed limit. In 2018, the Washington State legislature passed SB6434 which took effect June 2018. This legislation defines e-bikes and where they can be used. If a jurisdiction doesn’t have a specific law on the books, the default is that class 1 and 2 e-bikes can go on bike paths like traditional bikes. The Bill provides the following definitions: An e-bike is a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor with fewer than 750 watts of power. There are 3 classes of e-bikes: Class 1: means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bi-

cycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour. Class 2: means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicy-cle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour. Class 3: means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bi-cycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer. E-bikes typically resemble traditional bikes in func-tion and speed. In 2019, Seattle Parks and Recreation reported on the results of a year-long, Multi-Use Trail Pilot looking at e-bikes, speed, and trail etiquette not-ing that, on average, e-bikes and pedal bikes go similar speeds.

Pierce County Parks is in the process of updating Title 14 which will address E-bikes on our trails. The pro-posed update, which has not yet been adopted, would create a new definition that references the state law and classifies a variety of mobility devices, including E-bikes as follows:“Micromobility device” means a personal transporta-tion device, such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, unicycles, mono wheel de-vices, surreys, electric personal assistive mobility de-vices, and Class 1 and 2 electric bicycles and motorized foot scooters. A micromobility device includes all hu-man powered devices, including devices powered by more than one person.These updates will also address operation and speeds in parks/trails with new language around use of regional trails, including the implementation of a Model Trail User Code of Conduct. Watch for these updates later this year! No matter how you roll, it’s important to re-member that your safety is our number one priority. Thank you for taking the time to understand the laws and rules for different types of trail users. Pierce County Parks is committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information regarding trail safety and we hope you’ll enjoy the physical and mental benefits that get-ting out on the trails can bring. Remember, in Pierce County, you are always only one ride, walk or run away from a good mood!


Clarks Creek North Park Upgraded with New Fitness EquipmmentBy Sarah Harris, Director, City of Puyallup Parks and Recreation Department

The City of Puyallup Parks and Recreation Department installed new outdoor fitness equipment in Clarks Creek North Park last month thanks to the National Recreation and Parks Association Park Improvement Grant supported by the Niagara Bottling Company. Located along the Puyallup Loop Trail, this outdoor fitness equipment allows citizens to work out under the sun and in the fresh air. The NRPA Park Improvement Grant initiative aims to create park spaces that inspire fam-

ilies to connect with the outdoors, while improving the health and sustainability of the community. In 2020, four communities including the City of Puyallup were selected to re-ceive the NRPA Park Improvement Grant funded by Niagara Cares to build parks and amenities with that goal in mind. Clarks Creek North Park’s existing out-door fitness area was no longer practical for its purpose. After being awarded the NRPA Park Improvement grant, the old structures were removed with the help of Niagara

Cares volunteers and brand new, state of the art outdoor exercise pieces were installed and opened to the public on May 11, 2021. The City of Puyallup invites everyone to visit Clarks Creek North Park, get in a workout on the new equipment, and finish your day by hiking the Puyallup Loop Trail.

Problems can become opportunities whenthe right people come together.

Robert Redford

The Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition wants to thank REI Co-op’s Sumner location for their employee’s generous charitable donation this Spring. Each month a local non-profit is supported and we are honored to be repeat recipients of their generosity. REI Co-op’s Sumner location is clearly dedicated to supporting their community. The Foothills Coalition wants to publicly thank REI Co-op for this excellent, local program!

Photo courtesy of City of Puyallup Parks and Recreation

Here’s your chance to win a free member-ship renewal in the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition! If you can accurately describe the location of the photo below before anyone else does, you will win a one-year individual mem-bership renewal. (Sorry, board members are excluded.) The photo in the March issue was taken on the Brookville Gardens Trail in Fife. Lesley Paine knew where it was and guessed it cor-rectly. Let’s see how well you do on this one. This photo was the first one in the series of “How Well Do You Know Your Pierce Coun-ty Trails?” in the December 2012 issue of the TLN. No one even tried to guess. Come on, folks! You can do this! Please respond to [email protected] with your answer to “How Well Do You Know Your Pierce County Trails?” Good luck! The winner will be announced in the next issue. If you don’t know your Pierce County trails well enough to guess, then get out there and explore them! You are missing out!


President’s Message Continued from Page 1

ter Alliance’s existing access that follows their flume between Buckley and Lake Tapps. It is envisioned to eventually connect to the Foothills Trail that runs through Buckley. The Foothills Coalition has also been working with the City of Buckley on planning a Foothills Trail In-formational Kiosk, which will include where and when the Foothills Trail started, those that started it and those that were instrumental in making it a reality. It will also include historical railroad information, history of the

How Well Do You Know Your Pierce County Trails?By John Selby, Board Member

Photo by John Selby

communities along the trail and current information and events. The Coalition is in the process of planning a Cele-bration of Life for our very dear friend and Foothill’s long time member Dixie Gatchel. We will keep you posted on the timing of this event. And finally, I am still amazed how many people are using the Foothills trail. It really is a legacy that will live on for generations to come.


Memberships/Donations The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist Pierce County communities in the creation, maintenance, and usage of a connected system of non-motorized trails for healthier people from Mount Rainer to Puget Sound. The following people and organizations have renewed their memberships or made a donation between 2/17/21 - 5/10/21.

Continued on Page 9

Gene Alan & Eloise AdairDebra AdamsHeidi & Jerry AlthauserJim AndersonMary & Dennis AndersonVernon E AngelineBob & Mariella ArnoldLesley BaczukEleanor BaileyCraig & Theresa BakerPaula BallantyneJessica BartlettJoyce Clifford & David BartonRoddi BartonBret & Dawn BellevueDaniel & Leah BickelClayton & Becky BondRon & Vicki O'Keefe BookBryan & Beth BowdenHarold & Linda BoydJeff BrainPaulette & Benjamin BridgesSteve & Andy BrooksMarc & Tami BrouilletCurt BrownForrest BrownJack & Billee BrownRalph BrownRonald BrownDaniel BucciRichard & Cindy CaltonBryce & Cindy CarpenterDoug & Kathie CarterRon & Marty CelestresRobert ChristlMarie Churney

Norma ContrerasLeroy H CorbinCathy CorradoGeorge CoulbournRay & Deanna DallyBRUCE DEES & ASSOCIATES, LLCPat & Dave DegrootJohn & Elise DeguiseppiMarjorie A DemersJohn DenzlerGreg & Trish DimmittMike & Marcy Dobb & FamilyRoland & Sharalin DowningJohn & Theresa Downs (Have fun in Florida!)Michael DryfoosMichael & Bobbi EhelebeCheryl England, TRAILSIDE CON-NECTIONCity of EnumclawLois M. & Gary J. ErathCarl & Dinni FabianiKaren & Terry Flippin, ARTISTIC SOLUTIONSWayne FloodJeff D. & Cathy T. ForslundMelanie GagarinColleen GantLoras Gassmann * Steven GaubDebra GehrkeWilliam & Rochelle GiddingsB. K. GilbertsonTim & Patty GolobAlexander J GriffinDave Grimm

Richard D, GrubenhoffGuy, Dana, Kyle & Marland GuinnSteven A. HagoskiJim & Julie HalpinJeanean HamptonDiane HenkeJames R HenricksenJohn HenryEdward & Diana HigginsKandace HodgsonAlan J. & Marion HokenstadJohn HopkinsRonald HuhnRaymond G. IrionAlahna JansenBertil & Nancy JohnsonBurton & Doris JohnsonKirk & Pat JohnsonLloyd & Phyllis JohnsonDavid & Diane JordanJohn & Susan KaelinCarol Kalapus (92 & still riding the trail!)Elizabeth KasterLynda & Bruce KellyLinda KimballJeff & Sue KindleKlickitat Trail ConservancyJudy & Merlin KlingmanKurt KlingmanMartha J.Scoville, Gary R. KnudsonDavid Y. KokkoThomas and Mary KoonJerry Korum, Korum for KidsFoundation


Memberships/Donations The Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist Pierce County communities in the creation, maintenance, and usage of a connected system of non-motorized trails for healthier people from Mount Rainer to Puget Sound. The following people and organizations have renewed their memberships or made a donation between 2/17/21 - 5/10/21.

Ret Msg Brian L. & Janice KraftLeann & Mike KrainickJeff & Debbie KrayMary Ellen LaBergeMichael LacombeBob & Florence LarsenSteve & Lois LarsonRichard T. Larson & FamilyWilliam LathamEvan LeeDonn & Mary LewisRandolph M LindbladJacqueline A. LinehanKelly & Kevin LoneyBill & Theresa MahrLara MajorMarlene's Market & DeliDon & Jill MarseeKeith MartinDon & Diane MastersonRay Mc CaskieJames & Heidi McAdamsJ Douglas & Theresa McLeanDeborah & Brian MeskellFred Thomas & Sharon MetcalfEarl & Glory Mikkelson * Dennis & Bev MillerJohn K. & Joyce MillerCindy MishDaryl MontagueDaryl MontgomeryJesse & Debra NaylorNicholsons Sumner PharmacyRoger & Viengkham NixJames A. OberlanderJoanne OkesonOLD CANNERY FURNITUREWalter & Martha OlsenHarley & Jeanette OtisPhilip PagoriaSteven ParkerDwight Partin, PARTIN ENTERPRIS-ES, INC.Robin PartingtonGeorge PaseroCheryl PeachJohn PeacheySteven & Kay Pedersen

Anne & Dan PercivalBrian & Anna PetersonJanet PetersonJeanne A. PetranovichPhilip and Gwen PhibbsAudrey PitiglianoBarbi & Todd PrattJohn & Julie Barnett PurbaughJoseph & Karen QuintellaTerry ReidPat RobertsW. T. Robison, Jr.Warren & Margaret RoiceEarl & Joan RootBob W. & Susan W. RowanElizabeth RoweRussell Family Foundation * David & Gwen SailerPhillip & Jean SanbornJane & David SandersonStuart & Nancy ScheuermanAlan & Betty SchmidtPhillip & Joy SchneiderJudith S. SchulerStephen P ScofieldMelissa & Mike SegersJohn SelbyJames & Joyce SheddMary SiegenthalerStan & Carol SilvernailDaniel W.& Gwendolyn SmithMary Ann & Arlin SmithBrian Snell, L & L Printing

Galen Stark & Lynnette ArthurRobert StevensonBeverly H. & Gary L. StrodtzJim & Judy SummersMarvin & Sandra SundstromGisela TaranovskiRuth TerLouwJohn & Sandra TeterKimberlee ToomeyCarol TownsendTOYOTA of PUYALLUPRobert & Becky TrentMargol & Joseph TucciJeffrey & Sherry UehlingLarry & Barbara VollandGeorge WalkLinda WalkamaBob WarfieldJohn & Carolyn WarholTom WatsonLarry WellingJean WhiteGerald WhitehouseJudy & Glen WickettBarrie & Susan WilcoxRobert & Corrine WilkinsonJan & Shirley WolcottKen WooleryVirginia Wyatt ** Donations in memory of Dixie Gatchel

253-863-0422253-863-5484 FAXStore HoursSat-Sun: 9-6M-F: 9-6Pickup HoursSat-Sun: 9-5:30M-F: 9-7:30

13608-A Valley Avenue East • Sumner 98390http://www.oldcanneryfurniture.com


Calendar of Events

Scholz Farm and Garden14310 128th St. E.Puyallup, WA 98374

Phone (253) 848-7604Fax (253) 840-8699

[email protected]

Allen ScholzFawntella Scholz

Monthly Board Meetings:Monthly meetings are currently being held on Zoom. If interested in taking part, please contact Stuart Scheuerman by email at [email protected]

Friends of the Riverwalk Committee:We are an informal group of volunteers devoted to the enjoyment and betterment of the Puyallup Riverwalk. Please join us for most Monday mornings* at 8 a.m. at Mrs. Turner’s Restaurant, 701 East Main, Puyallup. We also have a group walk that starts at 9 a.m. following the meeting and is open to those who would like to join us. *Call prior to confirm in case of cancellation. Puyallup City Parks 253-841-5447.

Plateau Trails CoalitionWe are a group of volunteers devoted to the enjoyment and betterment of trials. Please join us on the first Thursday of each month at 630 pm at the Justice & Municipal Building, 9002 Main St E, Bonney Lake, WA 98391. *Please email prior to confirm any changes or cancellation at [email protected]


Mark your Membership Type Mail form and check to:

Foothills Rails‐to‐Trails Coalition P.O. Box 192

Puyallup, WA 98371‐0021

Membership makes a difference! The work we are doing is made possible because of your membership and generous support. Credit cards accepted.

$20 Single $30 Family $50 Pathfinder $100 Trail Builder $200 Corporate (Includes1-year ad in Trail Line News) Please email my newsletter

The Mission of the Foothills Rails-to-Trails coalition is to assist Pierce county government and communities in the creation, maintenance and usage of a connected system of non-motorized traits for healthier people from Mt. Rainier to Puget Sound.

Pay online using Pay Pal http://www.piercecountytrails.org/become-a-member/

Name: Address: City: Zip: Phone: Email: Make checks payable to Foothills Rails to Trail Coalition

Putting YOU �rst since 1970.

253.286.6000 − toyotapuyallup.com1400 River Road

Foothills Rails-to-Trails CoalitionP.O. Box 192Puyallup, WA 98371-0021Return Service Request

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june 2021 | trail line news | volume 35 | issue two b&o

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