Work on the Skyline Trail continues

It's been almost two months since crews broke ground on the Skyline Trail in Green River, and work is steadily progressing. 

The Skyline Trail is an extension to the current Greenbelt trail system and will encompass three different access points, starting with a parking lot off Upland Way, as well as having a parking lot at the top of South Hill and another access point behind Western Wyoming Community College's Green River campus. The trail will have one switchback near the Upland entrance, with grading under 8% on the South Hill side. The trail will be approximately four miles in total, will be barrier free, and was designed to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible and compliant.

In recent weeks, several citizens have questioned the amount of progress being made on the Skyline Trail, according to Green River Green Belt Task Force Chairman John Freeman. 

"The trail is approximately 30-35 percent complete at this time, with much of the progress not being visible from the roadways," Freeman stated. 

Recent progress includes a parking lot at the base of the trail head on Upland Way, improving existing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roads to allow access for Searle Brothers and their equipment, as well as the creation of a parking lot at the South Hill entrance of the trail and increasing the base on top of the existing pipeline to avoid damage. 

Freeman also noted that even though the BLM has donated land for the project, it will be a pedestrian only, non-motorized-vehicle trail system like the current Greenbelt Trail. The Greenbelt Taskforce is asking all ATV enthusiasts to avoid the area where crews are currently working.

When asked about the projected timeline for the project, Freeman said, "We don't have an exact date for completion." 

Part of the reason the project has progressed in stages is that it has been funded and sponsored by donations from community partners. Freeman explained that funding came from the Dustin Shillcox Foundation and William H. Smith, who donated $100,000 and $60,00 towards the project respectively, as well as Searle Brothers Construction, "who have donated more than $150,000 in in-kind services, and are working daily to complete this project for the price of fuels and consumables." 

Freeman reiterated that "this trail could not have moved forward without these donations, Searle Brothers' hard work, and Tom Wilson, who has really spearheaded this entire project."

There are also greater visions for more opportunities once the trail is complete, with a ribbon cutting celebration already being planned. According to Freeman, some ideas that have been "tossed around" include purchasing a trail-rated wheelchair that can be rented, memorial and sponsor plaques along the trail, and possible collaborations with Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism and the local Chamber of Commerce to promote the Skyline Trail.

Some outlets have reported that the Green River Greenbelt Task Force received a grant from Wyoming Outdoor Recreation for the project. Freeman stated that "although a grant was announced, we have yet to sign a contract and work out all the details." 

Danielle Salas photo

The Skyline Trail will connect to a current rustic trail system near Western Wyoming Community College's Green River campus.

Donations are still appreciated and needed to keep the construction on schedule. 

"We need to make sure we can continue to pay for the fuel and other expendables so that the volunteers from Searle Brothers have what they need to continue," Freeman said. 

Those who are interested in donating can contact John Freeman at freeman@wyoming.com, Tom Wilson at tomwilson5151@gmail.com, or call the Green River Parks and Recreation Department at 307-872-6151.