South Tahoe Greenway plans moving forward

Sometime in the future, one will be able to hop on a bike at Van Sickle Bi-State Park and travel on Class 1 trails to Sierra Tract, and hopefully beyond.

The concept for the trail where people would walk and bike safely off the main roads actually began in 1985. Caltrans owned land through the middle of neighborhoods where a highway was proposed, but when it was apparent that would never be built, the California Tahoe Conservancy (CTC) joined Caltrans in discussions to obtain the land.

This summer CTC completed Phase 1A in the Bijou neighborhood, with it ending near the new stop sign area at Glenwood Way and Becka Dr. Phase 1B will go through the Bijou Meadow (starting at the stop sign on Glenwood and going to Bijou Community Park). Planners have had to change this portion of the trail several times with the changing functions of the park. The idea of the trail started long before the Skate Park and Bike Park were in place, back when there was discussion of a new clubhouse and golf course.

During last week's City of South Lake Tahoe Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, Sue Rae Irelan, Associate Environmental Planner with CTC gave a presentation on Phase 1B. They discussed what route makes the most sense, how, and where, they want the trail to enter the park, if it should be open year round (and get snow removal).

Irelan has been working on the different segments of the Greenway for ten years.

"The new trail system will make a big difference on how people can get around," said Irelan.

The biggest part of the puzzle, the funding, is now much more clear.

Active Transportation Grants were awarded to the City of South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College and the Conservancy to complete multi-use trails and to create a safe biking and walking area around the South Tahoe Middle School.

Once the new trail is completed through the meadow it will cross Al Tahoe Blvd. and enter the playfield area at LTCC, then move through the campus to Trout Creek where it will cross over a boardwalk and end in the Sierra Tract neighborhood.

Since the trail will go between South Tahoe Public Utilities District offices and homes in the Meadow Crest Drive,O'Malley Drive and Martin Ave. area, CTC will hold meetings with neighbors so they can have input on proposals. Ireland said people could expect those in the next few weeks.

The Greenway will be going through some historic areas so there is potential for wayfinding and informational signs along the route. For instance, the boardwalk over Trout Creek skirts along where Washoe Indians once summered, fished and hunted, where the narrow gauge trains passed through as they transported lumber, and near the location of a 1960s tourist train.

Funding for the new grant won't be until midway through 2016 according to Irelan. Since the grant is issued by Caltrans there are several steps in the process they still have to complete. Design will be in 2017 and construction in 2018 or 2019.

In the meantime, Irelan will present to the Commission again as they finish up the concept.

The approved project goes from Van Sickle to Sierra Tract so the network of little portions will be joined together.

"I am thrilled," said Irelan.