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FCRTP is a federally recognized, non-profit 501(c)3 organization
Safe Routes to School programs enable community leaders, schools and parents
to encourage more children to safely walk and bicycle to school.
Learn more
BLOG: ORVs on Rail-trails: learning from mistakes.
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What is the
Ferry County rail trail?
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Answers to common
questions regarding railroad abandonment. Click HERE
Learn about rail banking.
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A growing collection of photos of the rail corridor
and multiple uses.
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FerryCounty's Rail-Trail Awarded A Second $100,000 Development Grant Monday, March 25th. Republic WA Ferry County's Rail-Trail Trestle Decking & Gravel Surfacing Project just got its second $100,000 boost - this time from a 2013 Federal Transportation Alternatives (TA) Grant, bringing the total Federal and State funds allocated to the project to $200,000.  The focus of the project is to rehabilitate the existing 770 foot railroad trestle across the north end of Curlew Lake by placing pressure treated timbers as a deck and also as railing along both sides. The project also places a stabilized crushed surfacing on the existing railroad grade from a parking area along the Kiwanis Road on the north end of the trestle to and for a mile and a quarter beyond the south end of the trestle as well as rebuilding the approaches to the trestle on each end. In response to the new grant County Engineer Bob Breshears wrote in his March project update that the new funds will allow the County to surface more of the trail south of the trestle. Specifically Breshears said “the additional funds will require a minor delay of the bidding of the project but should not prevent it from going to ad in April and getting the work done in early summer or late spring."  "We are excited the rail trail was granted another $100,000 for development and overjoyed to see that this trestle decking project is projected to be done this summer" said Ferry County' Rail Corridor Committee Chair Bobbi Weller. "This is the realization of a community vision and the result of hard work and proper planning that started with the help of the National Parks Rivers and Trails Assistance program." In 2010 Ferry County won the support of the National Parks Service's "Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance" program. This was a planning grant and RTCA staff provided the county with a wide range of technical assistance, including assessing resources, developing concept plans, engaging public participation, and identifying potential sources of funding for development of the former rail-bed that connects Republic to the Canadian Border. Keith Bell of the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners (a local 501c3) said "its wonderful to see how attractive this bicycle/pedestrian project is to these state and federal grant programs, we did our homework, completed the proper planning and its really paying off big for our community." 2013 Annual Meeting Announcement This year’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Carousel Building at the Ferry County Fair Grounds from 3 until 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. We hope to see you all there for a fun time for everyone with plenty of refreshments. This year we are featuring a history of the railroad presentation by the Ferry County Historical Society featuring Madeline Perry and Dick Slagle. Rail Trail Ski Day draws over 100 participants  Ferry County Rail Trail Partners held their Third Annual Ski Day on Saturday, January 12 at the old rail car loading zone/trailhead just north of Curlew, Washington. Despite the coldest temperatures of the season over 100 participants enjoyed the sunny day and showed that this community event continues to grow every year. Retired Forest Service Recreation Specialist Keith Wakefield is the lead organizer of the event and founder of N.E.W. (Northeast Washington Recreation). In addition to grooming the cross country and skate ski track for two miles north to the old railroad tunnel Keith also arranges for instructors from Spokane Parks & Recreation who bring a wide array of ski and snowshoe gear that gets heavy use by experienced users and beginners of all ages. Keith’s wife Susie Thiele checked equipment and assisted with fitting nonstop during the day. A special thanks goes to Bob Lattin who provided free snow plowing for the event. Hot coffee, tea and cocoa as well as a variety of cookies and other treats were available throughout the day. Heaters were also available to help everyone warm up. More pictures: Click Here National Park Service gives 'A Tip of the Hat' to...
Ferry County Rail Trail Partners Thanks to the dedication of a volunteer friends group and other partners, communities in northeastern Washington State are closer to being connected by a resurfaced rail trail.
The 25-mile Ferry County Rail-Trail is a multi-use, non-motorized trail that connects rural communities as it follows a rail corridor north to the Canadian border. The trail showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the county while providing a safe, fun, healthy recreation and transportation experience for residents and tourists. Read more: Click Here Rail Trail Surfacing Grant Application Is In Top Ten  The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) has announced the ranking order of projects for 2012's Washington Wildlife Recreation Program (WWRP). Ferry County's "rail trial surfacing project" placed seventh out of 20 state wide projects and was ranked number one over all in the public support and cost efficiencies categories.
Enthusiastic Response from Community for Ferry County  Rail-Trail Survey Provides Valuable Input An enthusiastic response from the public to a survey prepared by Ferry County’s Rail Corridor Committee (RCC) showcases that people primarily walk, bicycle, and cross-country ski along the 24.8 mile non-motorized Rail-Trail that runs from Republic’s West Herron Creek Road north to Danville near the Canadian border. • Read the press release: Click Here • See the numbers: Click Here • See the pie-chart: Click Here Benefit Auction of Ukulele raises $17,100  The auction of the ukulele signed by Pearl Jam’s front man Eddie Vedder ended Sunday night with a high bid of $17,100 USD. All proceeds from the auction will go to Ferry County Rail Trail Partners and will support the planning and development of the county’s 25-mile rail trial project. Bob Whittaker, president of the Ferry County Rail Trail Partners had these comments: “It's just fantastic! Developing this trail has become a priority for a community that finds itself in the midst of both an economic and a public health crisis. Without question a completed world class rail trail facility can be a big part of the long term solution specifically for these two issues” “Funding this rail trail is a direct investment in our economic, social and environmental infrastructure as well as a way to preserve and communicate the amazing geological and cultural history of our area, this will have very very positive long term results for our region” Ukulele story in  Click Here
 View the new full color map of the non-motorized and motorized sections of the rail trail and the Golden Tiger Pathway multi-use/motorized trail. This PDF file is suitable for printing on an 8.5x11 sheet. Click HereRead the update on the rail trail surface while we work hard to improve the trial for ALL non-motorized user groups! Click Here  Special $25 Membership Drive. Please consider making a donation to help with our mission. Lifetime membership = a one-time fee! (that’s cheap and no renewal to worry about, EVER!) FCRTP is a federally recognized, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Click Here Rail Corridor Committee Vision Statement Ferry County’s Rail Corridor Committee (RCC) finalizes vision statement. Right on RCC! "A multi-use non-motorized rail-trail that is a signature destination in Ferry County that highlights our cultural heritage and natural beauty, offering a fun, safe, healthy community connector as well as a first-rate recreational experience for the enjoyment of both local residents and tourists." Ferry County Rail Trail Wins $100,000 Grant Another milestone for the Ferry County Rail Trail was reached today when the Northeast Washington RTPO Policy Board awarded a $100,000 WSDOT Transportation Enhancement grant to the County. The rest of the story in the : Click Here Railways could become international bike trail‘Railbanking’ saves transportation infrastructure October 14th story by Rich Landers in A portion of a railroad running from Grand Forks, British Columbia, to Kettle Falls, Wash., has been declared for sale or abandonment. The rest of the story: Click Here  Ferry County Rail Trail now open to ALL muscle powered users!
Greetings Ferry County Rail Trail supporters!  Rail trail wins National Park Service support Ferry County has won the support of the National Parks Service's "Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance" program, it was announced at the Washington State Trails Conference held October 22-23 in Tacoma . RTCA staff will provide the county with a wide range of technical assistance, including assessing resources, developing concept plans, engaging public participation, and identifying potential sources of funding for development of the 29-mile former railbed that connects Republic to the Canadian Border. “I think this is very timely. Ferry County has a raw corridor on its hands, which needs to be transformed as fast as possible into a well-developed and thriving county asset. ” said Bob Whittaker, president of Ferry County Rail Trail Partners and member of the County Rail Corridor Committee. RTCA program manager Michael Linde said he was impressed with the 76 letters showing community support that were included with the application and went on to say Ferry County had broken the previous record. Trail advocates foresee a day when an 80-mile international trail might run from Republic through Grand Forks to Kettle Falls . That vision moved a step closer to reality when the owner of the Kettle Falls International Railway declared the Canadian portion of the route up for sale or abandonment earlier in October. Republic to Kettle Falls International Rail Trail in the news: “A portion of a railroad running from Grand Forks, B.C., to Kettle Falls, Wash., has been declared for sale or abandonment. While the action could cost the area jobs and raise freight transportation issues, it also opens the possibility of developing the nation’s first international rail trail.” Read full article: Click Here Curlew Lake Trestle Decking: Ferry County hopes to win a Transportation Enhancement (TE) Grant to deck the 700+ foot trestle at the north end of Curlew Lake and add crushed rock to improve the trail along the lake. Keep checking this website for details. ALL Muscle Power Allowed: Ferry County Commissioners modify interim rail trail ordinance to allow bikes, horses and all non-motorized users on rail corridor. NOTE: The tunnel and trestle are still closed to users due to safety issues. See the complete revised ordinance on our site. Click Here  Ferry County Rail Trail from the AirWatch the videos and get a birds-eye view of the Ferry County Rail Trail. Click on the links below. Ferry County Rail Trail - Curlew Lake Click Here Other interesting rail trail information: Click HERE to see a working horse-friendly Rail Trail video Click HERE to see the FCRTP Safe Route to School presentation | ||
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