King County and city officials announced last week an initial $705,000 funding for a proposed 17-mile regional "Lake-to-Sound" trail that would connect the cities of Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien and Des Moines.

"This proposed trail will provide a connection to several existing trails in south King County as well as create a new route from southern Lake Washington in Renton all the way to Puget Sound in Des Moines," said council chairwoman Julia Patterson, whose district includes SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines.

The south county trail is in a very underserved area where residents are twice as likely to be obese and be diagnosed with diabetes than other parts of King County, according to Patterson.

"The trail will provide 17 miles of opportunity for activity and exercise. It will give bike riders and pedestrians access to five suburban cities, as well as a linkage to light rail and transit hubs," she added.

It will wind past Tukwila's South 154th Street and SeaTac's South 200th Street light-rail stations as well as come within two miles of the Sounder commuter station in Tukwila, Patterson noted. It will also be within walking distance of ten schools.

When completed, the trail would lead west from Lake Washington in Renton, connect with the Green River Trail, continue west to the Tukwila light rail station and north of SeaTac Airport, then travel south to the Des Moines Creek Trail and end at Puget Sound in Des Moines.

The trail represents a partnership between the five cities and the county to increase transportation and recreation options for south county residents.

"Tukwila is well known as a 'Heart Healthy' city with an extensive network of trails and parks," said Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton. "The proposed Lake-to-Sound Trail will be a perfect addition toward achieving our vision for Tukwila and South King County."

Added SeaTac Mayor Ralph Shape, "The Lake to Sound Trail will be of significant benefit, not only to SeaTac residents, but to all of the south county. Our thanks to Executive Sims for his role in this project, but especially to Julia Patterson for her leadership and persistence in developing the King County trail system."

Burien Mayor Joan McGilton noted, "We look forward to having our residents have better access to the regional trails, and we also look forward to welcoming visitors who bike in from other parts of the county, who will be able to visit downtown Burien's restaurants and shops, and go all the way to our beautiful Seahurst Park on the Sound."

"The Des Moines Creek Trail Waterfront Connection in Des Moines is one of the first of the Lake to Sound Regional Trail projects ready for construction in 2009," said Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler. "This project has had unprecedented support from funding partners at all levels of government-the city of SeaTac, King County, Port of Seattle, State of Washington and the federal highway system.

King County has pledged $3.75 million from the 2007 voter-approved parks expansion levy over the next five years to acquire land to connect missing links in the regional trail system and build the trails. None of the money will come from the county's general fund, Patterson emphasized.

Patterson said she lobbied hard to have $705,000 from the levy placed in the 2009 county budget to start construction work on the corridor.

"It's time to bring some of that parks levy down to South King County," Patterson added.

Patterson noted a grant application is being drafted to go to the Puget Sound Regional Council to seek federal funding.

The Port of Seattle and the Cascade Bicycle Alliance are also partners in the project, she said.

Having partners will assist in securing federal funding, Patterson said.