Monday, October 26, 2009

Work begins to extend Centennial Trail north of Arlington

Heraldnet.com - Full Article

October 26, 2009

By Noah Haglund
Herald Writer

ARLINGTON — Walk onto the old railroad trestle north of town and you'll see the Stillaguamish River at a dizzying distance below.

Anybody brave enough to venture too far would run into a sign: "This corridor is closed to all public use."

Before too long, this sign could turn into a welcome mat.

Work is expected to begin today to extend the Centennial Trail, Snohomish County parks' most popular attraction, by 8 miles north from the trestle. By early next year, this path to the Skagit County line could open a window to rural landscapes, and a new portal for tourism in Arlington.

"This next portion, it's just really different. It's more rural, more wild country," said Beth Hill, a horse-riding enthusiast from Marysville and the Centennial Trail Coalition's incoming chairwoman. "You're very much riding through woods and woody hillsides. It's just got a different feel to it."

The first 6-mile section between Snohomish and Lake Stevens opened in 1989, Washington's centennial.

Now, the trail goes from Snohomish north of Marsyville with few interruptions. The only major gap in the 17-mile run to Arlington is a mile or so where it spills onto 67th Avenue NE, a two-lane county road.

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