Burke Gilman Trail construction update

King County is in the process of completing the permitting process required for the redevelopment of the trail. These permits included federal, state and city permits.

Among the permits that are being considered by the City is the tree permit. The Hearing Examiner in his findings identified a specific process for identifying the tress which must be removed and replaced in order for the tree permit to be issued. To learn more about the Hearing Examiners decision go to this link and scroll down the page to the information about the hearing examiner.

King County will stake and flag the proposed realignment of the trail. Once the staking and flagging is completed the City and the King County arborists will identify the trees that will be impacted and will have to be removed because they are either in the new trail or their roots will be disturbed by the construction.

Once the trees are identified, Lake Forest Park citizens are invited to join the City arborist for a trail walk to discuss the proposed trees slated for removal. This process is designed to insure that all of the impacted trees are identified. It will probably not occur until early next year.

King County will be replacing the trees at a ratio of greater than 1 to 1. Some of the trees may be replaced off site on city owned property.

--Sarah Phillips, City of LFP

Photo by Steven H. Robinson