Cache advances plan for regional trail system

LOGAN — Cache County is advancing a plan to connect the area's communities with a regional trail system.

The Cache County Council has endorsed a draft of the Cache Countywide Trail & Parkway Master Plan, which contains trail plans from a number of municipalities.

Officials are hailing it as a small — but significant — part of the planning process.

"Cache Valley is behind many other communities in the creation of trail systems," said County Councilman Craig Petersen, who sits on the county's trails committee. "The trails master plan is an important step in helping us move forward."

Countywide Trails Coordinator Tim Watkins has been working on the project for the past year, collecting plans from cities, documenting funding strategies and soliciting public comment. He appreciates the council's backing.

"I think they recognize that every effort has been made to involve the public in creating this plan, as well as the input from the communities," Watkins said. "I'm pleased that it seems to be acceptable to them, and I recognize that there could be changes as required."

Some of the proposed trails include a segment from First Dam to the Stokes Nature Center in Logan Canyon and a loop trail around the Wellsville Dam.

Petersen said the next step is to identify priorities for trails projects and seek funding sources for them.

County Executive Lynn Lemon said eminent domain will not be used to obtain property for the trails.

Watkins said he hopes incentives such as increased density in exchange for a trail corridor will persuade developers and homeowners to allow a trail.

"Were not imposing anything on anyone," Watkins said. "Were strategizing to assure quality of life in the future. Were creating the possibility for a countywide trails system to happen over time."