30 easements needed for paved trail from PIMC to Zylstra on San Juan Island
If all goes as planned by the Town and San Juan County Councils, there will be a 10-foot-wide 2.5 mile paved trail from Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) to Zylstra Lake on San Juan Island. The $5.28 million project includes $300,000 to purchase easements on 30 parcels.
Zylstra Lake with a few swans near the far bank. According to Phil Green, earlier in the day there were 49 swans on the lake. Sharon Kivisto photo
Thanks to the unwavering support of Congressman Rick Larsen, the long planned for and much discussed Zylstra Lake trail is now a reality,” said County Manager Mike Thomas. “The Congressional appropriation will fund a 2.5 mile walking and cycling pathway where residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy 285 acres of habitat and trails in a truly unique and unforgettable island setting.”
The reference to "much discussed" is likely to surprise neighbors and San Juan Valley Road residents who showed up at the lake during Rep. Larsen's visit to San Juan Island on January 20, 2023. Several of them expressed concern saying they hadn't heard about the trail until last month.
In April 2021, San Juan County Council adopted a resolution in favor of asking U.S. Rep Rick Larsen (WA-02) to obtain federal funds for a multi-modal trail from PIMC to Zylstra Lake. The U.S. Congressional House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was accepting requests to fund Surface Transportation and Member Designated projects for specific highway and transit projects.
The resolution included seven whereases explaining the project. Including: "a multi-modal trails from the Town of Friday Harbor to Zylstra Lake Preserve would further the County's goals of building a safer and more accessible transportation network, strengthening our mulit-modal transportation system, supporting underserved communities, enhancing infrastructure, and reducing pollution and pursuing environmental justice.
Both the Town of Friday Harbor Council and the county Council had earlier each passed resolutions declaring support for the project
TOWN TO ZYLSTRA LAKE MULTI-MODAL TRAIL
Begins in Town at the hospital and ends at the Land Bank Preserve
Paved 10-foot trail surface residing in a new 30-foot right of way easement
Three-year expedited project schedule
Engineering
Project Management | $180,000 | Two years
Design Services | $500,000 | By consultant
Permitting Services | $150,000 | By consultant
Right of Way
Project Management | $ 60,000 | Concurrent with Engineering
Acquisition Services | $300,000 | 30 Parcels @ $10,000 / Parcel
Acquisition Costs | $450,000 | 11 Acres @ $35,000 / Acre + improvements
Construction
Project Management | $120,000 | One year
Inspection Services | $350,000 | $7 Months @ $50,000 / Month
Construction | $3,600,000 | 3 Miles @ $1,200,000 / Mile
Wetland Mitigation | $140,000 On Land Bank property
Subtotal | $6,000,000
10% Contingency | $600,000
Project Estimate | $6,600,000
The grant is for $5.28 million. According to the resolution, the county will use county road funds to make up the difference between the grant amount and the final cost.