Get a Glimpse of the Future Teanaway Community Forest in Cle Elum on April 12
Attend the next Teanaway Community Forest meeting on April 12 to learn about future recreation opportunities in the Teanaway and share your thoughts.
For the last two years, land managers and a stakeholder advisory committee, which WTA serves on, have been developing a recreation plan for the Teanaway Community Forest. The area offers an incredible chance to develop the year-round recreation opportunities for hikers.
On April 12, the Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will host a community meeting to present the concepts, strategies, and tactics for the development of future recreation opportunities in the Teanaway. This meeting is an important chance for hikers like you to weigh-in and support draft concepts for new trails and non-motorized winter recreation.
Middle Fork Teanaway River by Archaeopteryx80
ATTEND THE MEETING on APRIL 12
DNR, WDFW and the stakeholder committee has collected information from field tours, a public opinion survey, and land use suitability assessments. They are getting closer to completing a final recreation plan and are now asking for public input on draft concepts and strategies.
Attend the public meeting to learn about the current draft ideas, ask questions and share your input. Your voice is needed to ensure hikers and trails are well represented in the recreation plan.
April 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Putnam Centennial Center
719 E 3rd Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922
Here are a few suggested talking points to share at the meeting. Personal experiences have a big impact, so make sure to share what types of recreation opportunities you'd like to have in the Teanaway. Share your support for the following draft concepts:
- High and moderate density trails to improve dispersion of users and user experience.
- Development of various types of trails with varying skill levels to provide opportunities for different types of users.
- Trail connections to local communities (such as Cle Elum, Roslyn, Ronald).
- Trail connections to existing trails on adjacent property.
- Sections of the Teanaway being designated specifically for non-motorized winter recreation.
- Snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails and connections to existing trails on adjacent property.
- Parking and restroom facilities at a level that meets user demand.
How We Got Here
The 50,000-acre forest was purchased by the state in 2013 as the state’s first community forest. Previously owned by a timber company, the area was already a popular place for recreation with three campgrounds, river access spots and a medley of trails that organically developed over time. Many hikers regularly enjoy the Teanaway Community Forest. With the potential for many new recreationists coming to the forest, now is the time to determine its future.
The ongoing recreation planning process will determine what recreation opportunities—types of trails, camping facilities, river access and more—will be created now and into the future. Since the fall of 2016, WDFW, DNR and the stakeholder advisory committee, which WTA serves on, have been developing a recreation plan for the Teanaway Community Forest.
WTA: Speaking up for Hikers
- To best serve the hiking community, WTA conducted our own survey of hikers in summer 2017.
- We shared this information with the full stakeholder advisory committee, which helped demonstrate the importance of trails and foot based recreation in the forest.
- Feedback from hikers helps bolster support for opportunities for solitude, developing a network of trails, connecting trails to local communities, providing parking and bathroom facilities and minimizing environmental impacts.
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