King County Parks wants to hear from the public about recommendations for developing a network of trails for mountain biking, horseback riding, walking and running on a portion of Black Diamond Open Space.

King County is asking for feedback through July 7 about a proposal that calls for designing and building formal trails and other features, such as training areas for younger mountain bike riders – primarily in unused areas of the park under and near power transmission lines. The recommendations can be found at www.kingcounty.gov/parks/blackdiamond.

The recommendations stem from the work of a six-member citizen-based advisory committee, which was convened by King County Parks in April; the advisory committee was tasked with reviewing and refining a proposal submitted to Parks by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance in 2013.

Recommended elements include developing five to seven miles of cross-country trails for a variety of non-motorized activities, including walking, running, mountain biking, and horseback riding, as well as mountain bike-oriented features like dual slalom downhill lines and an area where beginning bike riders can practice and improve their skills. It is also recommended that some of the trails be designed to facilitate cross-country and downhill mountain bike races for youth.

The recently opened parking lot off of Highway 169 will provide access to the trail network.

If approved by Parks, trail development will be carried out through a formal partnership with Evergreen and created through volunteer labor and other in-kind donations secured by the group. King County Parks will be taking public comments through July 7 and is expected to make a final decision by the end of July.

Comments can be sent to Butch Lovelace, Program Manager, electronically via email to butch.lovelace@kingcounty.gov or through the mail to 201 S Jackson St, Ste 700, KSC-NR-0700, Seattle, WA 98104.