Welcome to BurkeGilman50
In 2028, Seattle’s beloved Burke-Gilman Trail will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The original 12.1 miles connecting Gas Works Park to Tracy Owen Station in Kenmore were dedicated on August 19, 1978, creating one of the nation’s pioneering “rails-to-trails” conversions that transformed an old railway corridor into a vital community asset.
Today, this iconic trail spans nearly 20 miles, serving as both a crucial transportation corridor for daily commuters and a cherished recreational space for countless cyclists, runners, and walkers throughout the region. However, after five decades of heavy use, our trail faces significant maintenance challenges that require community support and funding to address.
BurkeGilman50 is dedicated to leveraging this milestone anniversary to raise awareness about critical infrastructure needs along the trail and mobilize resources to help the City of Seattle preserve this treasured public space for the next 50 years. Through community engagement, advocacy, and fundraising efforts, we’re working to ensure the Burke-Gilman Trail continues to connect neighborhoods, support sustainable transportation, and provide recreational opportunities for generations to come.
Join us in celebrating the trail’s remarkable legacy while securing its future.
Fix The Burke-Gilman and BurkeGilman50
Fix the Burke-Gilman has been engaging bicyclists to advocate for basic trail maintenance over the last 5 years. BurkeGilman50 is an effort focused on getting trail improvements that celebrate its legacy and prepare it for the future.
Managing a Beloved Seattle Trail
This initiative recognizes the complicated governing structure of the Burke-Gilman Trail that include Seattle Parks and SDOT, University of Washington, and King County Parks. The original segment is managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation and King County Parks. The University of Washington manages the segment through the campus. From west of Gas Works Park it is managed by Seattle Department of Transportation as are all the intersections in Seattle. Our focus is on the segment managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
Modernizing the Burke-Gilman Trail Together
Improvements can be made to make the trail wider, safer, drier, and ADA compliant. The standards for bicycle trails have changed over the last 50 years and the traffic levels on the Burke-Gilman are higher, faster, and more varied than ever.
