Land swap to make way for new South Lake Tahoe trail

The Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees, the City of South Lake Tahoe and the California Tahoe Conservancy will soon be voting to swap land they own around the college so the South Lake Tahoe Greenway Shared-Use Bike Trail can be built between Bijou Community Park and Sierra Tract neighborhood.

The college had owned 40 acres of land surrounding Trout Creek from the South Tahoe Public Utility District to Highway 50. The area is a sensitive stream zone and cannot be built upon though it did have developmental rights attached to it. LTCC will keep those rights for any future needs around campus, and CTC will in turn protect Trout Creek.

The attached map shows the land swap areas.

The whole greenway project is the result of partnership between the college, CTC and the City of South Lake Tahoe to create the 3.6 mile trail from Van Sickle Bi-State Park to Sierra Tract. The partnership received $1.928M in grants to complete the trail. LTCC is going to put in another $700,000 from their bond funds as well.

The college couldn't spend bond funds on land they didn't own so the swap was worked out so the bike trail will be on the newly acquired college land.

LTCC will still use the Trout Creek area for outdoor education and their Board of Trustees said the added amenities the new project brings to the college is a very worthwhile benefit.

"This Greenway will bring greater access to the college," said Board President Dr. Frederick Wenck.

The California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lake Tahoe Community College will host a public open house on Thursday, January 7, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the LTCC Board Room at One College Drive in South Lake Tahoe. City of South Lake Tahoe staff will also be available. The Open House will offer the public an opportunity to see information and provide input about the next phase of the South Lake Tahoe Greenway Shared Use Trail. The meeting had originally been scheduled for December 10 but a forecast storm led organizers to change so more of the public would have an opportunity to attend.