Bike and Pedestrian Trail
On October 14th, 2013, the Renton City Council adopted a plan to improve livability and economic development in S.E. Renton. The extensive, exhaustive project was prepared by, and for, homeowners and commercial establishments on the hill area bordered on the west by the Benson. The seventy-five page document listed strategies and tactics to help improve livability and economic development in the community. The plan is unfunded and failing. Community networks on the Hill continue to deteriorate.
City of Renton contractor MAKERS architecture and urban design, working with the defined community over a two-year period consolidated the plan. It called for establishing 116th Ave. SE as the crown jewel of Renton. This most affluent area of Renton includes the area known as South of Petrovitsky. It also houses the highest percentage of low-income families in the state. The area defined by the plan fared poorly in terms of capital improvements in SE Renton. Livability continues to decline while our neighbors in the Highlands have seen $17.4 Million over three years spent on trail improvements, community centers, and beautification. Go figure.
The plan to make 116th Ave., SE, the Crown Jewel of the county, was actually very simple. It laid out several suggestions we can use to build the first piece, a Bike-Pedestrian trail at low, or no cost. The main point for improving livability was to make a bike and pedestrian trail for the entire length of the road from a point near Phillip Arnold Park and ending at the city limit on SE 192nd St. The Avenue is wider than normal, according to plan engineers. It will adapt easily to a bike trail. The plan also pointed out that young families between twenty-five and forty-five predominate in the community. There are two school zones in the area between Philip Arnold Park and the South city limit at SE. 192nd St. with lower speed limits. The design included connection to many informal trails in that area. By adapting the plan, we can start to develop a Crown Jewel by creating the Pedestrian-Bike trail on 116th SE.
There are numerous trails, recreation areas, schools, and power-line trails on the hill. Improving trail networks became an important plank in the plan. Those connections are a reality, but very informal. We need to make those connections better and safer. The City of Renton should create an inter-local agreement with the City of Kent to continue the Pedestrian-Bike trail one mile south to a terminus at the Washington Fish and Wildlife facility.
The facility is not visible from the end of 116th Ave SE. The entrance is hidden behind a huge stand of Himalayan blackberries. WA F&W assures me that taxpayers can still use the lake access and boat launch area. An easement across the residential driveway is open for daytime use.
Just cross the driveway while showing respect for the homeowner. Now, enter an unusually beautiful yet remote lake in the middle of an urban environment. Hundreds of acres of pristine lake area is available for recreational use. What a wonderland refuge from city encumbrances for the children of Kent and their neighbors in Renton. Go there during daylight hours. Follow 116th SE to the cul de sac and see for yourself. It is OK to cross that private driveway to access the F&W facility. It still belongs to We the People.
Here is the final part recommended by the plan. We can do it free. The Plan recommended more park space yet never identified specific resources. Entering Panther Lake through the state facility opens hundreds of acres of existing recreational space to the public. Since our connection is through the State, entirely in the 11th Legislative District, there is no need to involve Kent or Renton financially.
Think of the fun that you and your family can have in the area. The Parks Department people at Kent City Hall would love to get the lake on the Kent Park Inventory but not likely in my lifetime. I am old. We must keep the WA F&W site open. It is the only access point available to the public. This is the only boat launch area for non-motorized boats. The state has an easement over the property mentioned previously. Feel free to drive, walk, or bike. Parking is available for several boats and trailers with room to maneuver. There are Discover Pass signs posted at the entrance.
City of Renton contractor MAKERS architecture and urban design, working with the defined community over a two-year period consolidated the plan. It called for establishing 116th Ave. SE as the crown jewel of Renton. This most affluent area of Renton includes the area known as South of Petrovitsky. It also houses the highest percentage of low-income families in the state. The area defined by the plan fared poorly in terms of capital improvements in SE Renton. Livability continues to decline while our neighbors in the Highlands have seen $17.4 Million over three years spent on trail improvements, community centers, and beautification. Go figure.
The plan to make 116th Ave., SE, the Crown Jewel of the county, was actually very simple. It laid out several suggestions we can use to build the first piece, a Bike-Pedestrian trail at low, or no cost. The main point for improving livability was to make a bike and pedestrian trail for the entire length of the road from a point near Phillip Arnold Park and ending at the city limit on SE 192nd St. The Avenue is wider than normal, according to plan engineers. It will adapt easily to a bike trail. The plan also pointed out that young families between twenty-five and forty-five predominate in the community. There are two school zones in the area between Philip Arnold Park and the South city limit at SE. 192nd St. with lower speed limits. The design included connection to many informal trails in that area. By adapting the plan, we can start to develop a Crown Jewel by creating the Pedestrian-Bike trail on 116th SE.
There are numerous trails, recreation areas, schools, and power-line trails on the hill. Improving trail networks became an important plank in the plan. Those connections are a reality, but very informal. We need to make those connections better and safer. The City of Renton should create an inter-local agreement with the City of Kent to continue the Pedestrian-Bike trail one mile south to a terminus at the Washington Fish and Wildlife facility.
The facility is not visible from the end of 116th Ave SE. The entrance is hidden behind a huge stand of Himalayan blackberries. WA F&W assures me that taxpayers can still use the lake access and boat launch area. An easement across the residential driveway is open for daytime use.
Just cross the driveway while showing respect for the homeowner. Now, enter an unusually beautiful yet remote lake in the middle of an urban environment. Hundreds of acres of pristine lake area is available for recreational use. What a wonderland refuge from city encumbrances for the children of Kent and their neighbors in Renton. Go there during daylight hours. Follow 116th SE to the cul de sac and see for yourself. It is OK to cross that private driveway to access the F&W facility. It still belongs to We the People.
Here is the final part recommended by the plan. We can do it free. The Plan recommended more park space yet never identified specific resources. Entering Panther Lake through the state facility opens hundreds of acres of existing recreational space to the public. Since our connection is through the State, entirely in the 11th Legislative District, there is no need to involve Kent or Renton financially.
Think of the fun that you and your family can have in the area. The Parks Department people at Kent City Hall would love to get the lake on the Kent Park Inventory but not likely in my lifetime. I am old. We must keep the WA F&W site open. It is the only access point available to the public. This is the only boat launch area for non-motorized boats. The state has an easement over the property mentioned previously. Feel free to drive, walk, or bike. Parking is available for several boats and trailers with room to maneuver. There are Discover Pass signs posted at the entrance.
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