Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/14/2025

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Ealain; Commissioners Bennett, Barten, Anderson, Arts, and Olson. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Sis. 5. COMMISSION BUSINESS 5.01: Resident Request to Remove Neighborhood Trail Connection Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood presented background information on the development of the subdivisions in the area of discussion, as well as the creation of trails in that area. He explained that originally, there was a road connection planned between the two subdivisions, but it was decided to use a trail connection instead. He stated that the current property owner purchased the property in 2021 and approached the City this year to request that the trail be removed from public use. Jeff Lamert, 7494 150 Lane NW, stated that they moved into their home in August of 2021 and found it odd that the trail segment did not connect to another trail or sidewalk, and also did not provide connection to a park. He stated that the surrounding neighbors also find the trail to be odd, as do the residents on Traprock, and would prefer it to be removed. He stated that if they had known what they know now, they would not have chosen to purchase their property. He stated that they do support a good trail system within the community, but this trail does not provide a connection to anything other than a dead-end cul-de-sac. He noted that he could only find one other trail segment that is similar in nature. He commented that he has tracked usage of the trail over the past four weeks, and it averages use by four groups of people per day, often times people walk to the other side and then immediately return as they realize it goes nowhere. He stated that he has also seen go-karts and e-bikes using the trail and going onto his yard. He stated that he has spoken with both the fire and police, and they have said they do not need the trail for public safety purposes. He stated that in lieu of this trail, they could extend the trail on Variolite to connect the two trail systems. He stated that the two neighborhoods are already connected by the bike path and asked the Commission to consider removing the trail which runs between his and his neighbor's properties. Rocky and Jessica Belmonte, 7514 159th Lane NW, commented that they are present for the same reason. He stated that their sprinklers have been found to be located on their neighbor's property. He stated that if the trail were put in as a comprise to a road that residents did not want, that would seem to be a silly reason for a trail. He commented that the trail is wide enough for cars, and there have been vehicles that have driven across at times before the signs were installed. Parks & Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood explained that the trail was not created as a compromise, but more to provide a connection between the neighborhoods. He stated that while the bike path is only one -fifth of a mile from this trail for this neighborhood, if the trail did not exist, it would be about six times that length for residents of Traprock to get to the boardwalk. He stated that the trail was in place prior to any of the homes being built; therefore, everyone purchased their homes knowing the location of the trails. Mr. Belmonte stated that the sprinkler system existed prior to his purchase of the home and asked if a permit is pulled for the installation of a sprinkler system. Park and Recreation Commission/ July 10, 2025 Page 2 of 6