City, Evergreen Outdoor discuss access agreement to expand trails and reinstate land lab at Bridal Field

Assistant City Manager Dennis Duket (presented as "Duket") told the Auburn City Council on July 7 that Evergreen Outdoor has approached the city about expanding its trail operation and gaining access to a city-owned parcel adjacent to East Auburn Community School to reestablish a land lab and expand trails to a roughly 1.5-mile loop.

Duket said the city currently has an agreement with Evergreen for Scribe Field (operated for youth sports), and Evergreen is proposing a similar arrangement for the city parcel next to East Auburn Community School. Under the proposed approach, Evergreen would be fully responsible for maintenance, scheduling, programming and investments on the parcel; the city and the school would have no maintenance obligations for the area under the draft concept.

Duket said staff have scheduled a follow-up meeting with Evergreen's owner and the assistant superintendent to discuss access management, parking and public access details. He described the proposal as early-stage and asked the council for feedback.

Councilor Collins asked whether staff had any concerns about proceeding; Duket said he had none at present and described Evergreen as a reliable partner based on the existing arrangement. Councilor Gary asked whether the city would be selling the parcel; Duket replied the city would not be selling the property and would retain the option to change access terms in the future if necessary.

Duket said Evergreen's vision includes doubling the existing trail network on its parcel and reestablishing the land lab and that the company has already constructed roughly three-quarters of a mile of trails on the privately owned parcel it operates. Councilors asked about ancillary items including cleaning the access route and attention to a nearby pickleball court; staff said those concerns would be considered as part of access and management planning.