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;,: , . ; i T The wetland enhancements proposed include the
<br /> X14 }� � A4 ; ,�,, removal of invasive non-native plants, the creation of
<br /> r ft ,, ';f-- upland hummocks (mounds or ridges of earth), and the
<br /> ,- of ,i1 > t=e,: extensive installation of diverse native plant species.
<br /> .>r A, a fig ' K ' ,0 Among the trail proposals in the Public Amenities Master
<br /> its . ,t, A,-> '"� : ". Plan is the routing of a broad regional trail, which will
<br /> `e -t; f {'•• 1x - ultimatelyconnect north and downtown Everett to
<br /> 0f ':, ° =� ,: , l-*'f i5 ,i F communities to the southeast. The regional trail will trace
<br /> t the Riverfront Trail route along the Snohomish River
<br /> II;� ,r !I l r ili +lio'b,z ;
<br /> . +� ,4.; tr r i shore with only minor departures from the existing
<br /> alignment, before turning west at the north end of the
<br /> Simpson Pad. Here the residential developer will, as
<br /> Remnant pilings on the Snohomish River to required by the city, relocate and expand the existing trail
<br /> remain undisturbed. along the north edge of the Simpson Pad development to
<br /> a position at the outside margin of the wetland buffer
<br /> setback. The regional trail will connect to the new 41st
<br /> ' `� 1;+ -4r. ;; ± rail"'--'. Street overcrossing and its westerly connection to
<br /> ,..?* 4 * downtown Everett with sidewalks and dedicated bike
<br /> 'w ., ,- ,ir - lanes.
<br /> Most of the existing site trails will be retained, surfaced,
<br /> ,0 N. * , '; n.7` and extended to form a continuous trail network. The trail
<br /> '' i, ��.� ;` ' system will connect to the existing Washington State
<br /> ` f ,�, r>• Department of Transportation (WSDOT) pond paths and
<br /> > �f ' z+ �1-' ;
<br /> ' l� i .T 1174, pedestrian overpass, and will in time include an ADA-
<br /> .. ,,` : .i accessible overpass at what is now the location of the
<br /> .• °�• .' �u.A Lowell at-grade railroad crossing. The Public Amenities
<br /> Master Plan proposes that the existing Riverfront Trail be
<br /> realigned to accommodate a new Bigelow Creek outfall,
<br /> Wetland C's monoculture will be enhanced. with the trail positioned atop a long, curving trestle bridge
<br /> spanning the creek below. Looped segments of -
<br /> boardwalk trail are proposed, one at the north end of the
<br /> Simpson Pad and two segments on the east side of the Railroad Corridor Trail, to allow pedestrian
<br /> access to the perimeter of the large central wetland,Wetland C.
<br /> The Railroad Corridor Trail follows the alignment of the old railroad tracks at the base of the Landfill
<br /> slope, and provides a broad corridor to accommodate not only bicycle and pedestrian use, but also
<br /> maintenance access for the Landfill site's leachate collection system and the Snohomish County
<br /> Public Utility District(PUD)transmission tower.
<br /> The public amenities proposals include multiple cultural and natural interpretive elements. The
<br /> hydrologic cycle, surrounding (and evolving) habitat areas, and salmonid life cycles offer many
<br /> opportunities for interpretive education. The importance of the riverfront setting and the broader
<br /> estuarine systems to early Native Americans provides opportunity for cultural interpretation. The
<br /> European settlement history in the local timber industry, the role of the railroad, the Landfill and Tire
<br /> Fire period offer additional interpretive possibilities, as does the extensive site engineering undertaken
<br /> to address Landfill pollutants. An opportunity exists to develop a dedicated interpretive facility at
<br /> Lowell Riverfront Park, in the south end of the site, which would serve as a portal to the Riverfront
<br /> Trail and the various public amenities. Other, more narrowly focused interpretive elements will be
<br /> located with picnic facilities and along the trails. Additional interpretive stations are proposed at the
<br /> Bigelow Creek trestle bridge viewpoints, looking into the site and out over the river, and in the looped
<br /> trails and boardwalks providing access to wetland viewpoints at the margins of the central wetland.
<br /> 4 Riverfront Development Public Amenities Master Plan
<br /> 41
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