
Renton’s May Creek watershed offers gorgeous scenery without leaving town. Here my daughter Katie Jones rides Zeus across tributary Honey Creek, about 1/4 mile from the confluence of May Creek and Honey Creek.
I’ve written several posts in the past about the May Creek Basin Plan, and Renton’s work in this beautiful watershed to improve our parks and trails while reducing flood risks. On Monday night the Renton City Council will have an opportunity to add another puzzle-piece to the accumulated park land. The 2718 Duvall Acquisition would add another 1.7 acres to Renton’s portfolio. The action is shown as item 6(d) on this council agenda.
Eventually this park land should become more accessible to the public with future trail systems and other amenities. Renton and Newcastle both have trail systems reaching into this area, and both would benefit by further expansion and connection with one-another. Newcastle currently has a unified trail network in May Creek Basin that includes a trail paralleling May Creek along it’s north side. Renton has long-term plans to complete a south-side May Creek Trail, and for many years has been making the property acquisitions necessary to do so.

Renton’s trail map, with trails designated by purple lines. The horse picture above was taken right where it says “Honey Creek Greenway” on the map.
Renton’s full trail map is here
Newcastle’s full trail map is here

Council is expected to forward this agenda bill to Finance Committee at Monday’s meeting. Finance Committee will then review it, and make a recommendation back to full council. It’s a sensible and strategic acquisition under current policy, so unless there is an unexpected surprise, it will most likely be approved.
Randy, I think your voice is really missed at the Renton City Council. Your years of experience are needed again. I have concerns about the performance of a couple of our council members.
Thanks. If the council or community seeks my assistance I may eventually get back into it. Since I’ve served 7 terms already it’s not exactly on my bucket list, but with five children and five grandchildren in Renton it is important to me that our city is getting consistently better over time. I’m particularly concerned about the growth in crime, but I’m also concerned that many of the long-term plans that residents and the city worked hard to create are being overlooked. Also, important priorities regarding essential services and infrastructure don’t seem to be on the radar of some council members either. Some of Renton’s elected officials are working very hard to get the city on the right track, so I’ve been watching closely to see how things go.