>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>February 19, 1998
>MEDIA CONTACT: Mary Gresch, 509/335-4899, gresch@wsu.edu
>
>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
>
>===================================================================
>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.
>===================================================================
>
>
>
Lori Keenan, Director
Latah County Library District
110 S. Jefferson Street
Moscow, ID 83843
tel: (208)882-3923
fax: (208) 882-5098
e-mail: lkeenan@norby.latah.lib.id.us