BILL CHIPMAN PALOUSE TRAIL DEDICATION SET FOR APRIL 4
PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail will be dedicated
officially on Saturday, April 4, during a public ceremony at a picturesque
point on the trail approximately two miles west of Moscow and five miles
east of Pullman.
The noon "The Rail Is Your Trail" ceremony will take place where
the trail runs parallel to County Road 270, a gravel road adjacent to the
Moscow-Pullman Highway. Signs will be posted on the highway with
directions and parking instructions.
The first phase of the seven-mile pedestrian "rail to trail"
conversion will be completed in the next six-weeks -- the result of a
15-year community effort. Donors have contributed more than $525,000
toward the trail's construction in the past 18 months, matching a federal
grant of $900,000 and a cooperative venture with Palouse River Railroad to
consolidate all rail transportation on the Palouse on one set of tracks.
Phase two of the effort will include planting trees and other vegetation,
building amenities, such as benches, and posting interpretive signage.
"Already, this trail has brought our communities together in so
many ways. It really symbolizes what we can accomplish when we all work
together," said Mike Werner, director of Whitman Country Parks and
Recreation and one of the coordinators of the trail project. "The
dedication will really be a chance for all of the Palouse to celebrate what
we have accomplished."
Organizers are encouraging dedication participants to use the trail
to get to the event. The University of Idaho and Washington State
University marching bands will lead the way, with each band marching to the
ceremony from each trailhead. Emcee Glenn Johnson, Cougar public address
announcer, will begin the ceremony at noon, culminating with an official
ribbon cutting by community leaders, trail activist Nancy Mack and the
Carol Chipman family. Refreshments will be served.
"We are encouraging all community groups and organizations to make
this a day for their group to come out, show their affiliation and be part
of this historic occasion," said Sonia Hussa, event organizer. Official
starting times for the community marches from trailheads in Moscow and
Pullman will be announced within the next few weeks.
The trail is for non-motorized traffic only, including pedestrians,
bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.
For more information regarding the trail, call Werner at 509/397-6238. For
dedication information, call Hussa at 509/335-1990.
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director
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Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute
P O Box 8596; 112 West 4th St; Suite #1
Moscow ID 83843-1096
Phone (208)882-1444; Fax (208)882-8029
url: http://www.moscow.com/pcei
Please Note our individual staff email addresses below:
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director: lamar@pcei.org
Kathleen Lester, Office Manager: lester@pcei.org
Laurie Gardes, Financial Manager: gardes@turbonet.com
Adam R. Thornbrough, Watersheds: thornbrough@pcei.org
Colette DePhelps, Community Food Systems: dephelps@pcei.org
Jon Barrett, Idaho Smart Growth: smartgro@micron.net
Jennifer Bell, Environmental Education: bell1719@uidaho.edu
Celebrating twelve years of connecting people, place and community.
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