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Snohomish County Parks and Recreation is seeking public input as planning begins for the Centennial Trail South Extension, a proposed 12-mile trail that would connect the City of Snohomish to Woodinville along the former Eastside Rail corridor.
Residents are encouraged to watch a project overview video, complete an online survey in English and Spanish, and participate in community outreach events throughout July and August. The survey will remain open through Aug. 29.
Once completed, the Centennial Trail South Extension would connect the existing Centennial Trail to King County’s Eastrail network, creating a continuous trail system from Skagit County through Snohomish County to King County. County officials said in a news release that the trail is expected to provide new opportunities for walking, biking, rolling, recreation and nonmotorized transportation.
The future Centennial Trail South Extension is not yet open to the public, according to the County news release.
“Completing the Centennial Trail has been a vision for decades, and we’re excited to take this important next step,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This project will create lasting connections between communities, expand access to outdoor recreation, and provide a safe, non-motorized transportation corridor for generations to come. Community input will play a critical role in shaping that vision.”
Planning and conceptual design are expected to continue through 2027. Because the corridor includes bridges, wetlands, trestles, sloughs and steep terrain, construction is expected to occur in phases over the next decade or longer as funding becomes available.
“The Centennial Trail is one of Snohomish County’s most treasured recreational assets,” said Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Director Sharon Walker. “This planning process gives residents the opportunity to help shape what this next chapter looks like, from trail access and amenities to preserving the natural character of the corridor. We encourage everyone to share their ideas and be part of the conversation.”
The Centennial Trail first opened in the early 1990s, with its most recent extension completed in 2013. Snohomish County acquired the former railroad corridor from the Port of Seattle in 2016, and the corridor was railbanked in 2024 to preserve it for future trail development.
The project has secured $2 million from Snohomish County and the state of Washington to complete engineering studies and preliminary design. Additional funding will be needed for final design and phased construction.
Residents can also meet with the project team at several community events this summer, to be announced later. Check the project webpage for updates.
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