Photo by Jeff Clemens -The Hunt Clubb Road Bridge is currenty unsafe to pass.
The Willapa Hills Trail has been a topic of contention for locals over the past several years. Many are pushing for sections inside Pacific County to be repaired and restored to pristine shape. Each year hundreds of families, bicyclists, walkers, horse riders and others take to the trail to enjoy the summer weather.
Unfortunately, several portions are becoming worse with each passing year and now a few sections have become dangerous.
Hunt Clubb Road Bridge
One of the more busy areas of the Willapa Hills Trail is the section from Raymond to Frances that sees bicycle, jogger, and horse riding traffic from spring till fall. The Hunt Clubb Bridge section is a high traffic area with many local and out-of-town fisherman taking to the spot to fish for salmon and steelhead.
The bridge is now at a point of despair and is quickly being washed out by the Willapa River. The Herald ventured out to the bridge on Friday, March 1 to photograph eagles that had flocked to the area. Walking across the bridge, the Herald witnessed first hand that the bank supporting the bridge is collapsing.
Unfortunately, due to the area, the only other way to get across the trail would be to go around the bridge on State Route 6 and then get back onto the trail on the other side. An option that could be risky for just about anyone.
A full county of support
According to Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen and long-time Willapa Hills Trail Supporter Cheryl Green, many are aware of the condition of the bridge including Washington State Parks that oversee and maintain the trail. Olsen mentioned that sometime late last fall the county commissioners were approached about the endorsement in the revamping of the trail. They signed a letter of voicing their support of the trail.
The City of Raymond and South Bend have both vocally backed the trail system. Throughout the last year, both city councils have heard a public outcry about the need to see the trail repaired. South Bend Councilman Daryle Buchanan has written letters, attended numerous meetings, and testified to the need of the trail and its repair.
Green expressed via email that residents in Lewis County were actively more supportive of trail repairs and had donations from larger businesses in the county to match funds.
Support from local businesses in Pacific County is also vital for the future of the trail and its need for funding. Donations would help greatly with attracting more funds from the Washington State Parks Public Oversight Board that controls project funding. It's estimated that around $2M would be needed to make the majority of immediate repairs needed on the trail inside Pacific County.
Green encourages local residents to be more active and outspoken about the trail by writing letters and attending meetings.
State addressed residents, but one year later no answers
In May 2018, Michael Hankinson, a program director with Washington State Parks, addressed around 35 residents at Raymond High School to discuss the trail in the county. He informed residents that Washington State Parks planned to apply for a $2M grant to restore and repair approximately 10 miles of the trail in Pacific County. The project would be from just outside downtown Raymond to Menlo. It would consist of repaving the trail along with repairing bridges along the route including the Hunt Clubb Bridge.
During the meeting, he expressed how important it was for the communities to voice the need for the project, the need for funding, and how important the trail is locally. Both Raymond and South Bend overwhelmingly made their voices heard by attending meetings, writing formal letters and testifying.
One year later no official word has been given about where the grant process is at or whether the trail repairs in the county will fit into Washington State Parks two year plan with one year of that plan nearly gone. Calls to the Washington State Parks Department have been unanswered and unreturned with no explanation as of publication date.
Loyalist say to stay positive
Both Olsen and Green along with many other activists and loyalist for the Willapa Hills Trail say residents should remain positive and hopeful for the future of the trail inside the county. The current budget for the trail doesn't support many repairs, but should the communities unite and stand firm the likelihood of necessary funding could become a reality next go around.
Several groups can be found on Facebook that discuss the trail and its opportunities. Annually several meetings are held to discuss the trail, its needs, and provide a place for trail lovers to connect. The Willapa Hills Trail has been a staple for connecting Pacific County and lifelong trail lovers are refusing to let it erode to just a memory.