The Burien adopt-a-park program has entered into a fantastic summer partnership program focusing on trail improvements along the North Nature Trail in Seahurst Park.

The King County Work Training Program runs for six weeks during the summer as an opportunity for youth to earn high school credit as well as embark on work training for a wage.

The Seahurst project is a collaborative effort between the city of Burien Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department, Highline School District’s New Start High School, King County Work Training Program, volunteers for Outdoor Washington (VOW) and The Environmental Science Center (ESC.)

This is the city’s second year of involvement with the King County program. The county has provided youth education and training services to youth in Burien/White Center area since 1999 and the Work Training Program has been around since 1971. The program has coordinated a site with the Highline district since 2005.

Parks staff is providing project oversight and tools for the 20 students and program partners. New Start High School is providing the classroom space and education component, King County is overseeing the students and work training, VOW is providing tools, project oversight and guidance for the trail improvements and the ESC is also providing on-sight project coordination for the field work.

While earning credit for school, students are learning about team work, trail design and construction, some native plant habitat and why it is important to care for their public parks.

The project is targeting five priority areas along the bottom third, 1,700 lineal feet, of the north trail. Overall, 300 lineal feet of very muddy trail will see improved drainage and added gravel making it greatly improved for year-round hiking use.

On July 18, the students were greeted by Gov. Chris Gregoire as she toured Seahurst Park and the center.