The public is invited to a discussion of the proposed Winthrop-to-Twisp recreational trail on Oct. 10 at the Twisp Valley Grange, starting at 5:30 p.m. According to Methow Trails, which is coordinating the trail project, the listening session will provide an opportunity for community members to hear updates, share their vision, ask questions and connect with neighbors.
Separately, Methow Trails will host a meeting with landowners who might be affected by trail’s route on Oct. 8, also at the grange at 5:30 p.m.
Methow Trails, the nonprofit that manages the valley’s extensive Nordic trail system, recently conducted a community survey to gauge interest in future trail projects. The No. 1 priority, according to survey respondents: a trail connection between Twisp and Winthrop.
Methow Trails subsequently launched an exploratory effort to generate community interest in such a trail, reach out to private and public landowners whose properties might be traversed, and begin the challenging task of determining a workable route.
Methow Trails envisions a route that is family-friendly, generally level enough to be widely accessible, bike-commuter friendly and direct enough to be a reasonable alternative to driving, and that makes the school complex part of the equation.
Ideally, according to Methow Trails, the route will also stay west of the Methow River to avoid bridge crossings, and east of the more-rugged terrain around Elbow Coulee.
In addition to private landowners, Methow Trails is reaching out to the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Landowner cooperation, Methow Trails Executive Director James DeSalvo said earlier, is key to the project going forward. He believes that Methow Trails’ 43 years of experience in dealing with landowners will be valuable.
For information, contact Methow Trails at 996-3287.
