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Resident questions city use of railroad easement for Cascade Trail signage and maintenance
Summary
A resident during public comment asked why the city promotes use of the Cascade Trail where the railroad only holds an easement, saying adjacent property owners’ rights may be affected; council and staff did not take formal action on the comment at the meeting.
A local resident raised concerns during public comment about the Cascade Trail’s depiction in a city parks brochure and the city’s maintenance and promotion of trail segments on Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad right‑of‑way.
The commenter said the Cascade Trail “unofficially extends from Fruitdale Road West back to Metcalfe Street along Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad right of way where the railroad tracks have been removed,” and asked who owns the land under the trail and who authorized the city to promote its use. The resident said the city and county encourage people to use the corridor, but adjacent property owners hold easements and the city should not unilaterally direct parking or trail use on what the commenter described as railroad property.
City staff acknowledged the comment during the meeting but did not provide a substantive legal response in the public record at that time. No action was taken and the matter was not added to the agenda; the resident asked the council to stop promoting use of areas the commenter believes are private or railroad easement property.
Councilmembers and staff did not identify a follow‑up action in the meeting minutes; the item may be scheduled for a future staff report if the council requests legal or property research.
