The site for Song Sparrow Bridge was identified for a trail crossing during the planning phase in 2018. We were thrilled when permitting was granted in 2024!

Note: At that time, it was referred to as both “North Bridge” and “Hill Creek Bridge.” It was renamed by the Parks Department in 2025.

Master Trail Builder Art Tuftee was contracted by Skagit County Parks and Recreation to design and oversee the construction of the bridge, with work commencing in early fall 2024.

The bridge site was cleared, and a temporary crossing was built to transport materials from one side to the other. Art and a small volunteer crew began by constructing forms for the footings. Concrete was mixed at the trailhead and poured into the forms using power carriers.

With the footings in place, volunteers built up the east approach using rock and gravel, creating an earthen ramp to safely connect the trail to the end of the bridge.

The 55-foot steel beams were transported from the Elk Trail Head to the bridge site using a winch, the contractor’s mini excavator, and logs to roll the beams across the uneven ground. Volunteers were amazed by the process, and there were plenty of good-humored jokes about using techniques similar to those employed by ancient Egyptians to build the pyramids!

Overwater work was completed prior to the winter salmon run. When construction resumed in late winter, progress accelerated. The next step was adding the 28-foot span at the west end of the bridge. The railings were built in a covered shop and delivered to the trailhead. Once the railings were in place, volunteers installed the decking materials.

With the bridge structure complete, the west approach was added, built using a gabion cage, rock, and gravel.

In March 2025, we received approval for Song Sparrow Bridge to be used as a crossing, and it was opened to public foot traffic.

With only six work parties left in our contracted build year, we focused on completing the connector trails, rock walls, and restoration work around the bridge. Our leadership team dedicated many extra hours to planning logistics, prepping the work site, and staging materials to ensure that larger volunteer groups could come together for enjoyable and productive work parties.

Thanks to our incredible community of volunteers, our work at Song Sparrow Bridge was completed beautifully and on time!

We are proud of all our work, but Song Sparrow Bridge and the connector trails mark a wonderful conclusion to the effort invested in the community trails at Northern State, creating a series of loops that offer users various options for access, length, and time.

Our work on property managed by the Parks Department concludes on September 13. On September 27, we will break ground on a new trail project for the Port of Skagit SWIFT Center. We are excited to further expand the Northern State Trail System.

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