City of Tigard plans to construct missing trail segment within three to six years
Metro has secured rights to extend the Fanno Creek Greenway Trail on two properties in central Tigard, helping close a gap in the popular walking, jogging and bicycling path.
The side-by-side easements, which were finalized this month, represent Metro's first trail deals funded by the voter-approved 2006 natural areas bond measure.
"Regional trails like the Fanno Creek Greenway provide an important way for people to connect with nature - and connect with nearby communities," Metro Council President David Bragdon said. "That's why voters supported additional trails as a part of Metro's Natural Areas Program."
When the greenway is complete, it will traverse 15 miles and five cities, beginning at the shores of the Willamette River in Southwest Portland and weaving through Beaverton, Tigard and Durham to Tualatin, where Fanno Creek meets the Tualatin River. This commuting and recreational trail connects dozens of neighborhoods, parks, schools and businesses. On a typical summer day, 300 people pass through Tigard's portion of the trail.
Overall, approximately half the greenway has been constructed. Metro is working with local jurisdictions to close gaps where trail users are currently diverted to public streets, including more than one-third mile between downtown Tigard and the city's Woodard Park.
Representing nearly half of this missing segment, the two Metro easements tally a combined $52,000, three acres and 865 feet of trail - the ground you'd cover jogging two-thirds of the way around a track. The city of Tigard plans to construct this portion of the trail within three to six years.
"Metro is delighted to work with the city, closing this gap in the Fanno Creek Greenway to open up opportunities for local residents," said Metro Councilor Carl Hosticka, who represents the southwestern part of the region in District 3. "The trail will link people with their town center, giving them better access to bus service and WES commuter rail."
The Fanno Creek Greenway is part of The Intertwine, a unifying name for the Portland metropolitan area's network of parks, trails and natural areas. The Intertwine Alliance, a coalition of businesses, nonprofits and public agencies, have joined together to promote The Intertwine and link it with homes, jobs and schools to create one of the greatest outdoor recreation networks in the world.