Buckley will be one of the first entities to participate in a Pierce County pilot program designed to place numbered markers on trails throughout the region.

Buckley was deemed an ideal candidate to take the maiden voyage in the program for two reasons: first, because its police department maintains a 911 dispatch center; and, additionally, the city trail can accommodate walkers, joggers and bicyclists but there is no foolproof way to zero in on someone’s exact location should they encounter trouble.

“The idea is one whose time has come and we should be able to implement this simple solution at a minimum cost to the city,” Mayor Pat Johnson said.

Once the markers are in place, Johnson said, trail users safer and more self-assured, knowing they can tell relate exactly where they are in case of an emergency. She said the markers should be in place by the first of the year.