Leafline Trails and Washington Trails Association Coordinate to Start a “Puget Sound Access” Coalition

This past month, Leafline Trails and the Washington Trails Association brought together partners from around the region, including members of the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, to discuss the possibility of forming a “Puget Sound Access Coalition.” 

Their goal is to  “coordinate on emerging federal legislation to bridge the recreation and transportation policy divide in Puget Sound” and to “increase federal funding for regional trails, transit-to-trails, parks and greenspaces, and high quality backcountry trail experiences in Puget Sound.”  

Infrastructure for transit is intertwined with access to trails, paths, and open spaces. By forming a network of supporters, they hope to better be able to advocate for all kinds of paths, trails, and greenspaces throughout our region as well as equitable access to these places. 

A few of the first steps the coalition will take include creating a shared vision among the partners as well as a map of current gaps in trails and access issues. Additionally, the coalition plans to start reaching out to legislators to get a better understanding of the political climate they’re working with and where they can best put their efforts forward.