The Sacagawea Heritage Trail

Here it is...the trail...goal #34:  Who is coming with me?  I am thinking this is going to be done on a nice Spring Day when it isn't sweltering in the Tri-Cities heat or in the early Fall when it isn't sweltering in the Tri-Cities heat!  What say you? 

Sacagawea Heritage Trail

The Sacagawea Heritage Trail Project is a recreational and educational trail along twenty-three miles of beautiful Columbia River shoreline in Tri-Cities, Washington. The trail is dedicated to the lone woman on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The bi-modal trail and all trail amenities enable all outdoor enthusiasts to experience an environmentally sound and unique shrub-steppe habitat and gain a greater awareness and appreciation for the experiences of the Corps of Discovery in the Mid-Columbia region.

The Sacagawea Heritage Trail plays on the vision for a continuous bicycle and pedestrian route connecting the Tri-Cities. The trail, showcasing interpretive opportunities, is intended to serve as an amenity for both local residents and visitors to the area. The non-motorized loop routes along the riverfronts in the Tri-Cities area, and create linkages with waterfront parks. The trail system includes Class I multi-purpose trails, sidewalks, Class II bike routes (striped bike lanes) and Class III bike routes (signed bike routes).

The Tri-Cities area is fortunate to have extensive river frontage along the Columbia, Yakima and Snake Rivers. Much of the riverfront is in public ownership, either through the Army Corps of Engineers, Cities, Benton and Franklin Counties, Port districts or State Parks. Portions of the trail route have been developed through parks, and along levees and streets. Individual jurisdictions have also completed trail improvements in conjunction with other waterfront development.

Interpretive topics are portrayed along the route. This includes a variety of natural, historical, and cultural topics with an emphasis on specific sites of local interest. This list could be expanded if other appropriate topics come to light. These displays are of interest to both locals interested in preserving the local heritage, and to tourists learning about the area. The actual interpretive displays take a number of forms, from signage to sculptural elements. Interpretive displays add substantially to the enjoyment of trail facilities by the public.

Creation of the Master Plan involved input from a number of local jurisdictions, including: the Cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland; Benton and Franklin Counties; and the Ports of Benton, Kennewick and Pasco. Overall coordination for the planning process was provided by the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau. An Interlocal Staff Committee composed of representatives from each of the above agencies and jurisdictions met with the consultant team to review and discuss existing conditions and proposed planning elements. The planning process began in December, 1999, and was completed in August, 2000.