Local trail groups unite

The Inland Northwest Trails Coalition has rounded up a dozen local leaders involved in trails-related efforts for the annual “state of the trails” presentations starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Mountain Gear Corporate Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield Ave. in Spokane Valley.

 This is the place for trail users to learn where trail-related efforts are under way, and how they can get involved.

Natural areas will be covered, including the Dishman Hills, Palisades Park and Spokane County Conservation Futures areas.

The Centennial, Trolley and Fish Lake trails will be reviewed as well as the expanding hiking, biking and nordic ski trail systems at Mount Spokane.

Progress on the Spokane River water trail will be updated and the Washington Trails Association will detail this season’s trail maintenance projects from Spokane County to the Salmo-Priest Wilderness.

Lunell Haught, INTC coordinator, said the consortium of outdoor recreation and conservation groups has encouraged city and county governments to engage in regional trail planning. Official plans are key to getting grants for trails, she said.

The group’s vision, she said, is a system of paths, trails and open-space corridors that connect neighborhoods, parks and conservation land to engage people in muscle-powered recreational and conservation, promote active transportation and preserve open space to enhance the quality of life for people in the region.