VINCE RICHARDSON . Skagit Valley Herald Aug 20, 2025 SEDRO-WOOLLEY — Olmsted Park continues to take shape as what was once an empty field is being transformed into a highly-anticipated recreation destination. The city’s newest park, at 1451 North Fruitdale Road, encompasses about 14.8 acres and was formerly a portion of the Northern State Hospital complexContinue reading “In the News: Olmsted Park construction in full swing”
Author Archives: Skagit Trail Builders
Song Sparrow Bridge Ribbon Cutting September 19, 2025
Press Release from the City of Sedro-Woolley: Ribbon Cutting for Song Sparrow Bridge September 19, 2025 The public is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the Song Sparrow Bridge, a remarkable new addition to the region’s trail network, on Friday, September 19. Festivities begin at 1:00 p.m. at 1960 Thompson Road with refreshments and updates onContinue reading “Song Sparrow Bridge Ribbon Cutting September 19, 2025”
2025: Putting the Final Touches on Hill Creek Trail, Pumphouse Trail, and Elk Trail
While we completed work at Song Sparrow Bridge in the spring of 2025, we also put the final touches on the Northern State Trail System. With excellent weather and record-setting turnouts, our dedicated volunteer crews tended to the details that make this trail a peaceful escape into nature. We held several “special sessions” with smallContinue reading “2025: Putting the Final Touches on Hill Creek Trail, Pumphouse Trail, and Elk Trail”
2024-2025: Song Sparrow Bridge and the Connector Trail
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 BuilderContinue reading “2024-2025: Song Sparrow Bridge and the Connector Trail”
2023-2025: Developing North Knoll Trail and the West Meadow Loop
North Knoll Trail is a 3/4 mile section that extends from the Song Sparrow Connector, past the North Knoll, to the wild flower meadow. It follows Hansen Creek’s east bank through mature cedar forest, passing pools of bright blooming skunk cabbage, salmon berry patches, and hanging gardens of moss and licorice fern. Rough-in work onContinue reading “2023-2025: Developing North Knoll Trail and the West Meadow Loop”
2022-2023: Building the Elevated Segment of the Pumphouse Trail
When the Pumphouse Bridge was complete, we celebrated! Now we could cross the creek with power carriers and materials to build the first section of the Pumphouse Trail. When we explored the trail routing in 2019, Hansen Creek had recently flooded, covering the lower meadow with heavy clay mud. Because it was such a beautifulContinue reading “2022-2023: Building the Elevated Segment of the Pumphouse Trail”
2021-2022: Building the Pumphouse Bridge
Work on the Pumphouse Bridge began in the fall of 2021. When the overwater work was put on pause during the salmon run from November to March, our volunteer crew concentrated on building the switchback trail. Working with our backs to the water, every time we heard a splash💦splash💦splash💦, we would turn to watch aContinue reading “2021-2022: Building the Pumphouse Bridge”
2021: Ivy Control at the Historic Guard Shack and Thompson Pond
Coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns in 2021 was a challenge. Contracts and permits were delayed, leaving our remaining work at Northern State Recreation Area uncertain. Hill Creek Trail was incomplete, and construction of the Pumphouse Bridge had not yet started. One of the proposals on our docket was a loop trail around ThompsonContinue reading “2021: Ivy Control at the Historic Guard Shack and Thompson Pond”
2019: Building Brickyard Creek Trail
When we started working on the Northern State Trail System in 2019, we were thrilled to accept the help of the 6 to 8 volunteers who showed up regularly. As the trail system has grown, so have our volunteer teams. At our June 28, 2025, work party, we had 56 volunteers participate, demonstrating that ourContinue reading “2019: Building Brickyard Creek Trail”
2019: Breaking Ground on Hill Creek Trail
During the winter of 2018-2019, we broke ground on Hill Creek Trail at Northern State Recreation Area. 🤓 (Side note! At the time, it was being called the “Pumphouse Trail” because of the historic pump house it runs adjacent to. In May 2025, it was renamed Hill Creek Trail). It connects to the north andContinue reading “2019: Breaking Ground on Hill Creek Trail”
Skagit Trail Builders 