Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Tumwater is looking to open bidding for the construction contract of Deschutes Valley Trail’s longest segment between late October and early November.
Tumwater Capital Projects Manager Jared VerHey delivered the information to the Tumwater Parks & Recreation Commission at a meeting on Sept. 16.
He said staff are currently wrapping up designs for Segment C of the Deschutes Valley Trail, which when completed links Historical Park to Pioneer Park. The approximately 2.5-mile trail system will also connect to Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls, Palermo Pocket Park and Deschutes Valley Park.
VerHey said the trail system is planned as a multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path. The project is being built in phases through multiple segments.
Only one section of the trail has been completed thus far. Segment 1A, which was constructed in 2021, connects Historical Park and Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.
Plans call for the trail to continue south through Segment 1B, which would connect Brewery Park to E Street. Segment B picks up at that point, extending down to the Valley Athletic Club.
From there, Segment C runs southward, offering connections to Palermo Park and Deschutes Valley Park along the way. Segment C has been the focus of recent design work.
The final stretch continues through Segment D, which crosses Deschutes River through a bridge to Pioneer Park.
Segment C runs approximately 1.1 miles alongside Tumwater Valley Golf Course.
Because the alignment skirts sensitive wetlands, VerHey said the project requires about 6 acres of wetland restoration within nearby buffer zones.
Plans for the segment include an 85-foot pedestrian bridge over a drainage channel, as well as a protective fence to separate trail users from golf balls where the trail aligns with the golf cart path.
The segment also features a 300-linear-foot retaining wall designed to maintain an American with Disabilities Act compliant slope along the spur trail to Deschutes Valley Park. The total cost for Segment C is estimated at $5.5 million.
VerHey said staff are close to locking in federal funding worth around $2.6 million, while the remainder of the costs will be funded by revenue from the Tumwater Metropolitan Park District, park impact fees and general fund.
The remaining trail segments are estimated to cost $6.5 million, with roughly $5 million in state funding already secured.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
SunterraTrail
Yeah! This is excellent news. I will be walking on the trail a lot.
Friday, September 25 Report this
JulieGeddes
Look forward to riding on the trail. Thanks for making a safe place for walking and cycling. Connecting parks and business areas is good for everyone.
Saturday, September 26 Report this
Dmathis
This is all great news! What still needs to be addressed is the ped-bike crossing of Deschutes at Henderson. The current narrow bridge is a challenge for pedestrians and cyclists especially with all the recent housing development resulting in increased vehicle traffic on Henderson. I sure would like to hear Tumwater’s plan for crossing Deschutes.
4 days ago Report this
Mugwump
Y'know you don't HAVE to make an image clickable. And if you do, you COULD make it big enough to actually READ. Just sayin'.
3 days ago Report this
DudeGuyOly
Revised comment from Mugwump: Hi! Could you please make the image larger when you click on it so it is clearer to read? Thanks!
there, fixed that for you. Just sayin'.
3 days ago Report this
SecondOtter
Wouldn't it be nice if the City of Tumwater spent money on making walking trails like this instead of putting in another unnecessary roundabout?
2 days ago Report this