The Eastside Trail will change the region forever, and it can’t become bikeable soon enough.

The good news is that King County Parks has begun work on an Eastside Rail Corridor Regional Trail Master Plan, and they need your feedback to help lead the designs.

I totally screwed up and didn’t post this before yesterday, when the first of three open houses on the master plan was held in Bellevue. But there are still two more chances to attend an open house in person:

• South Segment – Tuesday, 5 – 7 p.m. – Renton High School Cafeteria
• North Segment – Wednesday, 5 – 7 p.m. – 21 Acres

You will also have a chance to give feedback online starting next week. We will post an update when the online open house is ready.

Public feedback received during the Environmental Impact Statement scoping process wisely put the environment, safety and connectivity front-and-center. These are fantastic goals, though I would add economic development to the list. A complete Eastside Trail would be a boon to any business along the route and would provide opportunities for new ones, as we have already seen with the awesome Chainline Brewing in Kirkland.

More details on the developing master plan from King County Parks:

Thank you to those who participated in our Eastside Rail Corridor Regional Trail Master Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping meetings this summer, and for your interest in the Eastside Rail Corridor Regional Trail!

More than 130 neighbors, potential trail users, and other King County residents provided input at public meetings and online between June 8 and July 17. Overall, comments and feedback were positive and highlighted opportunities the trail would bring.

Three high-level themes emerged:

1. Connections and Access: Participants want to connect to other regional trails, local trails, parks, transit, and other modes of transportation. They also want to see connections and access to local businesses to help promote economic development in the region.
2. Safety: Many people mentioned a desire to minimize potential conflicts between drivers and trail users at intersections, as well as minimize conflicts between high-speed cyclists and other trail users. Wayfinding signage and increased security for trail users and adjacent property owners along the trail was also a major priority.
3. The Built and Natural Environment: Participants expressed concerns about protecting the environment and natural habitats by maintaining trees and vegetation for existing wildlife, and maintaining views.

The feedback we heard has been used to help shape trail alternatives.

Now we want to hear from you again!

Please join us at one of three open houses next week or join the online open house this month to:

1. Provide feedback on proposed alignment alternatives, and;
2. Share where you want amenities and access points.

Drop in anytime during the hours listed below. Each open house will focus on a specific segment of the corridor. There will also be an online open house that will be available on our website from Oct. 19 to Nov. 12, 2015.

Please see details below and we hope you can join us and share your feedback!

Open House Schedule

• Central Segment (I-90 in Bellevue to 108th Ave NE in Kirkland)
  Monday, October 12
  6 to 8 p.m.
  Cherry Crest Elementary
  12400 NE 32nd St, Bellevue 98005
• South Segment (Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton to I-90 in Bellevue)
  Tuesday, October 13
  5 to 7 p.m.
  Renton High School
  400 S. 2nd St, Renton 98057
• North Segment (Slater Ave. in Kirkland to the Woodinville Wye & NE 124th Street in Redmond to the Woodinville Wye)
  Wednesday, October 14
  5 to 7 p.m.
  21 Acres
  13701 NE 171st St, Woodinville 98072

Online Open House
Visit www.kingcounty.gov/erc to participate!
Opens: October 19, 2015 at 8 a.m.
Closes: November 12, 2015 at midnight