Burke-Gilman Trail Committee materials, 1958-2024

The Burke-Gilman trail is a scenic urban walking and biking trail linking northeast Seattle neighborhoods with natural areas. Originating in the 1880s as a railroad route, it was used by the Burlington Northern company which abandoned it in 1971. Residents of the Wedgwood neighborhood in Seattle became interested in converting the disused railroad line into a walking trail and formed the Burke-Gilman Trail Committee to campaign for public ownership of the land. After several years of campaigns, rallies, petitions, and negotiations with the Interstate Commerce Commission, the City of Seattle, BNRR, and others, the first twelve miles of the trail were dedicated on August 19, 1978. There have been several extensions in the decades since – the trail now extends 20 miles from Ballard to Bothell – and it has become such a popular amenity that real estate advertisements and businesses highlight its proximity as a selling point. Beloved by commuters and recreationists alike, the BGT provides access to Magnuson Park, Gasworks Park, and several others, as well as connections to the Cheshiahud Loop, the Elliot Bay trail and the Sammamish River Trail.

Sources:

Box 1, Folder 1 in collection – a printout of the 2013 article “Wedgwood’s Trailmakers: the Burke-Gilman Trail”, published by the Wedgwood in Seattle History blog (accessed February 3, 2025)

Seattle Parks and Recreation, “Burke-Gilman Trail”, seattle.gov (accessed February 3, 2025)

Washington Trails Association, “Burke-Gilman Trail”, wta.org (accessed February 3, 2025)