Dear Neighbors,

We hope you and your family have had a healthy and happy 2007. We also hope that you have taken the time to come out to enjoy all that the Yakima Greenway has to offer the residents of our community and those that come to visit, all for free. The Greenway is very excited in anticipation of 2008 with all the projects that are planned.

There are three amazing opportunities for the Greenway in ’08.

The Reflection Pond project was completed in 2008. Read more about this project here.

The second project that will start in ‘08 is to create an east side loop 4.8 miles long that will follow the Yakima River along the east bank between SR24 Bridge and Terrace Heights Bridge, then follow the existing trail from Sherman Park up just past Sarg Hubbard Park on the west side of the Yakima River. This project is going to cost approximately $500,000 to complete and will connect our neighbors in Terrace Heights and the new Osteopathic College Campus.

The final extension and connection will be the new 10 mile extension from 40th Ave. out to Naches along the rail line. It will cost nearly $4 million to build and significantly increase the Greenway’s operation and maintenance requirements. See more information on the Naches Rail2Trail project.

All of these new projects sound positive for the greater Yakima’s quality of life and to attract new business to the area.

The creation of the Yakima Greenway required amazing efforts from diverse groups of local folks that had a passion to make it a reality. It took vision and hard work to see it to fruition, without tax dollar support. Everyone in the Yakima area should have a strong sense of gratitude and pride for what has been accomplished here in our community. Now our charge is not to let it diminish, we must not only maintain the existing pathway, natural areas, parks and playgrounds but look for opportunities to enhance the Greenway. What would the Yakima and Naches river corridor be like without the Greenway? Before the Yakima Greenway existed the city dump bordered the river. The water quality has improved in the Yakima River gradually for the past 25 years. A strong indication of the improved water quality is the return of more Eagles during the winter and more Osprey and Great Blue Herons all year long. The Greenway doesn’t take the credit for all the improvement since it takes many working together, but the Greenway is a strong ally.

We invite you to share in our desire to continue to ‘Maintain the Legacy’ of the Yakima Greenway and make it a place that we will always be proud of by filling out the enclosed form, seal it in the return envelope provided, and mail it in with your donation today. The Yakima Greenway is a great asset for Yakima’s quality of life and continues to enhance that quality of life.

With sincere gratitude,

Al Brown, Executive Director
Jeff Brantner Deputy Director

Connecting with our Neighbors….

2009 at the Yakima Greenway will be a spectacular year of growth. We will continue to be the place where many community functions and events are held, we will provide environmental stewardship and education, along with many forms of recreation as well as a place for personal reflection. (Yet for those who want to be part of something new, green and growing the Yakima Greenway will be expanding this locally owned enhancement of Yakima’s quality of life in 2009.)

Please join us by becoming a member today, if you are not already. We are not a city park that receives tax support to maintain the beautiful Greenway here in Yakima. For more information or to join, please visit us on line at www.yakimagreenway.org or call us at our office at 453-8280. Or stop by at Sarg Hubbard Park we would welcome your visit.

Membership maintains the Greenway.