City of Olympia Partners with REI on New Priest Point Park Trail

A regular volunteer on the Priest Point Park trail building project, Carol Little-Reed pitches in spreading gravel. Photo courtesy: City of Olympia
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Submitted by City of Olympia

In partnership with REI Co-op and community volunteers, the City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation has just finished installing a new trail at Priest Point Park. The new trail provides access to the southern beach and striking panoramic views of Olympia, including the State Capitol building.

Priest Point Park Trail
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee chair member, Jim Nieland is a regular volunteer on the trail project. Photo courtesy: City of Olympia

The trail is approximately 720 feet long and construction began in June. It has taken approximately three and a half months to build. The City of Olympia received a grant from REI Co-op for $20,000 to build the new trail and decommission a social trail, approximately 500 feet long, which was causing erosion to a bluff and was unsafe to park visitors. The grant has funded a City of Olympia staff member to lead volunteer work parties and build the trail, as well as cover materials such as gravel, plants, lumber and signage.

Volunteers from the community have come out to build the trail and support the project regularly, often assisting on the trail three to four times per week. The Washington Trails Association, local churches and businesses have also been a part of the trail building. Washington Conservation Corps has provided much needed restoration in the area. Removing hundreds of yards of English Ivy, Laurel and Holly. The project is near competition. Trail crews will wait until the weather turns wet to complete the planting portion of the plan, ensuring successful rooting of new native plants.

Priest Point Park Trails
A group from the Washington Trails Association group came out to help build the trail and are gathered at the trail’s end on the shores of Puget Sound. Photo courtesy: City of Olympia

The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of this new trail on Thursday, September 29 at 3:00 p.m. Meet at kitchen shelter #4 at Priest Point Park, 2600 East Bay Dr. NE. Guests will have an opportunity to vote on a name for the new pathway at the celebration.

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