Tumwater to develop Palermo Trail as part of Deschutes Valley Trail

An informal forest trail connecting Palermo Pocket Park to Capitol Boulevard through Linda Street would now be formally developed as part of Tumwater’s plans for the Deschutes Valley Trail.

Tumwater Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denney briefed the city council about the proposed trail development on Tuesday, June 27. He also asked the council for authority to spend $500,000 of park impact fees on the development of the trail.

The General Government Committee had already recommended the use of the funds two weeks ago. The city council was ready to vote on the matter, but as the topic was listed as a discussion item, City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick advised the council to approve it at another meeting.

The trail starts at Palermo Pocket Park, a community park west of Tumwater Valley Golf Club, and ends near the Burger King joint at Linda Street.

Layout of the Deschutes Valley Trail. Encircled in red is the Palermo Trail.

City staff proposes replacing the dirt trail with gravel and having the path be eight feet in width. Interpretative signages, benches, and drainage would also be installed along the trail.

Denney explained that the Palermo Trail would be a spur trail to the Deschutes Valley Trail which is also currently being developed. The latter trail extends from Tumwater’s east border to the north border. It would connect city parks such as Pioneer Park, Deschutes Valley Park, Tumwater Falls Park, and Tumwater Historical Park.

An offshoot looping trail would be developed from Palermo Trail, eventually connecting with the Deschutes Valley Trail.

The city’s engineering staff estimated that the project would cost $451,030. Denney said construction could begin as early as Fall, depending on staff availability.

Councilmember Joan Cathey mentioned that residents in the Palermo neighborhood had previously expressed concern for the project as the trail would have originally cut through the community. Denney replied that in response to this concern, they have decided to reroute the trail to the side of the Tumwater Valley Golf Club, even though it would add a significant cost to that section of the trail.

Denney added that the additional foot traffic brought by the development of Palermo Trail would help avoid nefarious activities in the area.