PROJECT PARTNER(S)
Woodlant Trail Greenway Association, City of Olympia

LOCATION
1600 Eastside Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501


GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS
Green Roof
Rain Garden
Pedestrian/Bike Trail
Porous pavement

DESCRIPTION
The Olympia Woodland Trail is a walk/bike/run path that travels 2.5 Miles (Eastside Trailhead to Chehalis Western Trail) through Olympia, WA and connects to a larger bike trail, the Chehalis Western Trail. It is often used as an alternative commuting route for cyclists so that they can avoid biking the streets.

Historical information: "In 1990, Jim and Carol Rainwood envisioned the idea of converting an abandoned rail line into a paved trail connecting east and west Olympia and to link Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and Thurston County. Jim and Carol also pioneered the formation of the Woodland Trail Greenway Association, formerly the East West Greenway Association, to assist the City of Olympia in fulfilling this vision. The Olympia Woodland Trail Master Plan was completed in 1999, and land acquisition was completed in 2003. The first section of the trail opened for public use on August 7, 2007. The trail now extends from the main trailhead at the intersection of Eastside Street and Wheeler Avenue to the Chehalis Western Trail, 2.5 miles away."

Park Features:

• 10 Foot Wide Multi-Use Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail, ADA Accessible
• 4 Foot Wide Crushed-Rock Trail
• Picnic Shelter/Restroom
• Benches
• Over 12,000 Native Tree and Shrub Plantingsillustrations or photographs of the place, feel free to embed a gallery widget that links to a flickr or picasa set

The main trailhead is at the intersection of Eastside Street and Wheeler Avenue. It has a parking lot, shelter/restroom and information about the trail system. Trailhead improvements are designed with sustainable design and green architecture features. The shelter/restroom has a living roof covered with plants. Interior spaces are lighted by solar tubes. The parking lot is porous pavement. A rain garden filters stormwater.

PHOTOS AND DRAWINGS

LESSONS LEARNED

• Community members with vision and dedication can create the impetus for valuable neighborhood projects such as this trail. Change need not be driven by governmental organizations.
• A well-designed and maintained commuter and recreational trail can become a major community asset, connecting neighborhoods and workplaces.
• Community-based volunteer organizations can provide such trail systems with important maintenance and enhancement services, including planting native plants along the trail.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Olympia Woodland Trail

Sustainable Features at the Woodland Trail