Thursday, November 6, 2025
The Deschutes Valley Trail is about to clear another hurdle on its path toward completion.
The Tumwater City Council is going to vote on a $2.5 million contract for the continuation of design work for the proposed trail at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
The Public Works Committee endorsed the contract with SCJ Alliance. That move led to the agreement being placed on the city council's consent agenda. It is among several items to be decided under a single vote.
The project seeks to connect five city parks: Pioneer Park, Deschutes Valley Park, Palermo Pocket Park, Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls and Historical Park.
It would also connect to the Tumwater Valley Golf Club and a trailhead to Capitol Boulevard.
The trail system is a long-envisioned project, which the city has been considering since 1987, according to its website.
A segment of the trail system was completed in 2021, connecting Historical Park and Brewery Park.
There are six remaining segments, which is the subject of SCJ Alliance’s contract.
According to documents, the remaining trails would extend more than 2 miles. The trails would be 10 feet wide with 2 feet of gravel on each side of the trails.
Portions of the trail would be adjacent to the Tumwater Valley Golf Club course. The trail system would also include the construction of three bridges for water crossings.
At a previous Tumwater Public Works Committee meeting, Jared VerHey, the city’s capital projects manager, described the project as “complex” as it traverses areas adjacent to environmentally critical areas.
Funding for the contract comes from taxes collected by the Tumwater Metropolitan Parks District, park impact fees and the city’s general fund.
The total cost to build the remaining segments is approximately $16.8 million, according to VerHey.
The city has so far secured $5.8 million from the Washington State Department of Transportation and $2.6 million in federal funding administered through the Thurston Regional Planning Council.
VerHey said the city is actively pursuing other grant funding to reduce the city’s financial outlay for the project.
4 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Acadian04
They'll want to make sure that the section of trail adjacent to the golf course is either out of range of or or protected from errant golf balls. Those things will leave a mark. And there are plenty of them.
Monday, October 6 Report this
SunterraTrail
This is excellent news. What an asset to the community when completed.
Monday, October 6 Report this
TomBoucher
Keep looking for funding and build out in ever-lengthening segments--when complete this will be a great health-giving add to our otherwise kinda-disjointed urban walking options.
Tuesday, October 7 Report this
Southsoundguy
Lol been in planning since 1987. Central planning doesn't work.
Thursday, October 9 Report this