Renton Trails Turns Dreams Into Reality For Outdoor Enthusiasts

What if nothing held you back from attaining a dream?

Rudy Case wanted more soft surface trails in Renton’s open spaces and the surrounding neighborhoods, but family time, his job with Eastside Fire and Rescue, and life in general seemed to be in the way.

At the suggestion of a friend, Case enrolled in a program with Landmark Education, which teaches students how to turn their passions into reality.

“Why not me? It’s something I care about,” Case said, adding that the availability and accessibility of trails in Renton will benefit his kids, community and the next generation.

 “It doesn’t take a special person. It just takes a person willing to act,” he said of what the program taught him. “It’s about taking ownership of the community we live in.”

Case focused on his dream to create more trails in and around Renton’s open spaces and is now making it a reality with “Renton Trails.”

The group didn’t form overnight.. Case first met with the City several months ago to propose his idea and work within the City’s existing plan, the Renton Trails and Bicycle Master Plan, said Leslie Betlach, parks, planning and natural resources director.

“It’s a six-year plan with a 20-year vision,” she said of the document.

Some of the plan’s goal have been implemented, such as the Springbrook trail and the . Other projects, however, are on hold due to limited funding.

Much of the planning work has already been done. But limited funding and manpower have delayed some of the projects. This is where Renton Trails comes in.

“Our focus is fundraising and community activism so we can get this accomplished without spending all the taxpayers’ money,” Case said.

Case is looking for more members and volunteers to help support and further the organization’s goals, including fundraising, outreach and anyone with a personal GPS who is willing to help map new trails.

“People can make their own volunteer positions,” he said.

Betlach added that the City still needs to establish trail standards for signage and construction, adding that Case embraced the need wholeheartedly.

“The Parks Department asked, and he created a whole portfolio of standards from surrounding cities,” she said.

The City will have the final say oh how and where the trails will be constructed.

The City is very excited about Case’s enthusiasm and drive to take on this project, which will include building trails, habitat restoration and “significant debris removal,” she said.

“He’s really out in the forefront, highly motivated and very knowledgeable,” she said.

. Volunteers are asked to park at Kennydale Hall, 2424 NE 27th Renton, WA 98056.

The group has partnered with the City of Renton Parks Volunteer Program to clean up trash in and around the creek, including the removal of invasive plants and trash.

“This is our first test to see how much involvement we can get,” Case said.

To learn more about Renton Trails, visit their website, rentontrails.org, or their Facebook page.

*Editor's Note: The original article gave the wrong address for volunteer parking. The correct address is now listed: Keyydale Hall 2424 NE 27th Renton, WA 98056. Patch regrets the error.