Decades in the making

I crashed on the Missing Link.

It was on my second day living Seattle. I passed through Fremont and headed along the canal, charmed by my new surroundings, excited to be living in Seattle. Then, all of a sudden I stood at an intersection, no trail, only train tracks and traffic. My wheel caught the tracks, and I landed hard. I dusted off my scrapes, but others have not been so lucky. That was seven years ago.

I am not alone. More than one person per month goes to the hospital with serious injuries from the Missing Link. Countless others crash while biking here on a near daily basis.

"I have bikers frequently who come in [to the Olympic Athletic Club] after going to Swedish Hospital or who come in with cuts and bruises," said Mark Durall, Olympic Athletic Club General Manager, at the Friends of the Burke-Gilman Trail meeting on Tuesday night.

"Without following very seasoned veterans, I wouldn't have made it," said Amanda Macuiba of her first time bicycling on the Missing Link. Amanda is visiting from Chicago.

With the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Study, the city of Seattle is one step closer to fixing the Missing Link of the Burke-Gilman Trail. It’s been an arduous legal battle over the course of almost three decades to get here.

Now only 1.5 miles remain to complete a family-friendly and safe connection through Ballard. It will take every single one of you speaking up and showing your support for this trail to move us closer to completing the Missing Link.

The journey for a safe and complete Burke-Gilman Trail is not yet over. A well-funded group has repeatedly placed legal and procedural roadblocks in the way to delay the completion this trail, so now more than ever the voices of caring neighbors and families are needed to weigh in on the alignment of the trail.  

Let’s ensure that the route is intuitive and works for people of all ages and abilities. The vast majority of Seattle residents, businesses and visitors want a safe, connected Burke-Gilman Trail that works for everyone. Now it’s time to say #WeCantWait for a completed trail.

To make sure the Missing Link is completed, attend one of the open houses:

Thursday, July 14, 6 - 9 p.m.
Leif Erikson Lodge, 2245 NW 57th St., Seattle
RSVP

(Pro tip: If you are biking STP, go to this one!)

OR

Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Leif Erikson Lodge, 2245 NW 57th St., Seattle
RSVP

For the Saturday, July 16 open house, roll, scoot or skate your way to the Missing Link open house with your family and friends. Meet at Gas Works Park at 9 a.m. for a slow roll over to the open house. After the open house we will head to Peddler Brewing for ice cream, drinks and corn hole.

People will have the choice to speak up in a group or have their comments recorded in a one-on-one session with a court stenographer. Your comments will shape the future of the trail. It will take all of us, showing up and sharing our personal stories to connect the Missing Link.

Say you’ll show up today.