Trail planners talk of sites, trestle in meeting

Gazette Editor

A possible link between the Tekoa rodeo grounds and the John Wayne Trail and decking of the high trestle at Tekoa were among topics discussed last Wed

nesday, Nov. 2, in the third public meeting for the trail plan.

Bill Fraser, planner for Washington State parks, reported some type of camping facility or trailhead at the rodeo grounds, site of the Iron Horse Arena, could be one of the proposals for the trail plan.

Fraser and Parks Ranger Mark Truitt conducted earlier sessions in Malden and Rosalia. The aim of the meetings was to get public comment to compile a plan for developing the trail which is now operated by the state parks department.

The parks duo heard some concerns about the trail operation, but people attending the Tekoa session appeared to be more receptive to the planning operation which has been funded with a grant.

Again, participants questioned whether the Parks Department would ever receive any funding.

Tekoa Mayor John Jaeger noted the city has been attempting to purchase the rodeo arena property from the Union Pacific which once operated a roundhouse at the site. The former UP right-of-way has also been considered for a memorial trail from the arena area to the state line.

Jaeger said to date the UP’s asking price has been beyond the range of the city. He noted after the session the property could be contaminated by the years of UP use on the site.

Tekoa leases the railroad property, totaling about 28 acres, from the Union Pacific, and then sub-leases to the Iron Horse arena group.

Also suggested at the meeting was development of a trailhead site along the railroad as it crosses north Tekoa. A former flathouse site and a former elevator site could be used. Fraser said at the end of the session he would check out the possibility of finding a willing seller for the trailhead site.

Another topic for Tekoa was fencing and decking the high trestle which crosses Highway 27 on the north edge of Tekoa. The trestle, which was part of the Milwaukee system, has attained logo status for Tekoa residents.

Since the right-of-way was acquired for the trail from trustees of the Milwaukee bankruptcy, the trestle at Tekoa has been blocked off. Jaeger said Tekoans believe putting the trestle in operation would attract visitors to the trail and the town.

Fraser showed pictures of concrete decking which was applied to a trestle on the Klickitat Trail near Lyle. Price tag for that project was approximately $300,000. He noted a layer of soil is placed on top of the deck so the trail could be used by horse riders.