A rainy, windy day in Bonney Lake served as the backdrop for a long-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony at Fennel Creek Trail.
“It was blustery out there, but we tried not to let it dampen our spirits,” Gary Leaf said, facilities and special projects manager. “I’m sure if we had better weather, we would have seen a larger group but even so, there were about 30 of us and our spirits were high.” 
It all began in 1997, when the idea was added to Bonney Lake’s Comprehensive Plan. Since then, many experts and organizations have been involved in the trail’s development. In 2007, the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and the Fennel Creek Preservation Group both participated in creating the Fennel Creek Trail master plan, which was then adopted by council. It wasn’t until Saturday, April 13 that the dream finally became a reality. To call out the slow progression isn’t an exaggeration.
“It’s a long process,” Leaf said. “Funding plays a role in that, but the biggest reason is the environmentally sensitive area.”
The first mile of trail is funded by a combination of federal, state and local funds. As of now, there is no dedicated funding for the remaining four miles according to Leaf.
Fennel Creek Trail’s commencement is a two-for-one, as it also marks the last mile of the Safe Routes to Schools Project — which is why the majority of current funding for the trail comes from WSDOT.
The trail will be accessible for both recreational and non-motorized transportation purposes, providing safe access to shopping and schools. It will also serve as a link to Pierce County’s Foothills Trail.
Standards developed by the National Recreation and Parks Association established a measurable need for 6.5 miles of paved trails in Bonney Lake. The area currently possesses none but the existing project will culminate in five miles — nearly enough to meet the requirements expressed in the 2011 Parks and Open Space Plan.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Willow Brook Storm Pond. Estimations vary but the first mile of trail is expected to be completed by the end of this year, or the beginning of next.