Public feedback encouraged for Dockton bike trail routes

Published 12:21 pm Thursday, March 17, 2016

After multiple public meetings in past months discussing the addition of mountain biking trails to Dockton Forest, work is starting on the trails, but the public’s input is still needed.

During the public meetings earlier this winter, islanders suggested being given the chance to see the marked trail routes prior to trail construction. Since the last meeting on the project, volunteers have been working to flag the first phase of trails through the woods — Phase 1a.  This first phase consists of two cross-country trails and an uphill return trail.

These first trails are on the west side of the forest and construction is expected to begin in April.

“These trails will be geared toward kids and new riders, but enjoyable for all skill levels,” King County Parks Program Manager Butch Lovelace said in an email.

He also asked the public to remember that building trails is a “very iterative process,” and that trail design and layout can change from the concept phase (presented at the meetings,) to this flagging phase, to the construction phase.

Members of the county’s project team will be meeting along 260th Avenue at the trailhead at 6 p.m. on Wednesday before proceeding along the existing center trail to discuss trail layout and design.

The project began as an idea brought to the county by the Vashon Mountain Bike Association and is being funded by the county’s Community Partnerships and Grants Program. Trail construction will be done by an all-volunteer team.