Aubrey Davis Park Trail Safety Improvements Project

In June 2023, the City Council accepted the Aubrey Davis Park Trail Safety Improvement Project design recommendation, and authorized the City Manager to finalize the design as presented by the Parks and Recreation Commission (see AB 6265).

Since June, City staff and the KPG Psomas design team have worked through details such as signage, lighting, and landscaping for the 90% design (there have been no substantial changes from the June recommendation). In December 2023, the 90% design of the trail was submitted to WSDOT for review. This is a major milestone for the project and precedes the issuance of permits for construction.

Paul West, Senior CIP Project Manager expects to bid this project in late winter for construction in summer 2024. Access to the trail and ballfields may be restricted at times during construction. Please comply with detours and closures as posted.

On June 6, 2023, Mercer Island City Council will review the design of the Aubrey Davis Park Trail Safety Improvements as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The project design includes new signage and pavement markings at eight trail intersections. Two intersections will receive additional treatments to improve circulation. In addition, the project includes installation of “SLOW” advisory pavement markings on downhill sections where cyclists tend to gain excess speed. Along two sections of trail, the gravel shoulders will be restored to the original grades to re-establish space for walkers to step off the trail if desired. As specified in the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan, these shoulders will be able to support the growth of grass or low vegetation to visually soften the trail edge. The project scope also includes lighting for the trail at the 72nd Avenue SE Overpass intersection.

If City Council approves the design, the City will complete design in 2023 and construct the trail in early 2024.

A joint meeting of the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission and the Mercer Island Arts Council will discuss a draft 30% design on Thursday, June 1, 2022. The consultant, KPG Psomas developed the proposed design with input from the Parks and Recreation Commission at its April 2022 meeting. Features of the design include system wide improvements such as signs, pavement markings and landscaping along with more extensive site features at three priority areas or "nodes" at the restrooms, the 72nd Ave overpass, and the West Mercer Way trail crossing. An initial cost estimate puts the total improvement construction at $783,000. The plans as presented have grouped improvements into three "schedules" of work. The base schedule A provides what the design team believes are the highest priority improvements according to safety and user needs. Schedule A is estimated to cost $350,000 which is the available construction budget. Schedules B and C are additional improvements that would also significantly contribute to traffic calming and user satisfaction but would require additional funding. The Parks and Recreation Commission will provide feedback on whether the schedules contain the right prioritization of project elements.

At the same meeting, the two bodies will consider what artistic "placemaking" elements could be incorporated into the project. They will discuss the types and extent of these creative elements that could foster understanding and cooperation among different types of trail users.

The Aubrey Davis Trail Improvements Survey is now live!

This is an online, community-wide survey on the trail design ideas for three locations along the trail in Aubrey Davis Park.

The design team has identified general treatments such as pavement markings, wayfinding and signage, vegetation management, and redefined mixing zones as ways to enhance safety for all trail users. In three areas that have been identified for additional improvements, there are opportunities to use integrated art and placemaking elements to engage trail and park users. The community can help guide the selection of these elements by filling out the Aubrey Davis Trail Improvements Survey.

The survey takes about five minutes. Share your feedback today!

KPG, an engineering and design consultant has been selected to guide the trail improvements in the Lid Park. They are well-versed in the technical and creative aspects of designing regional trails, and have been working on the Factoria (Bellevue) portion of the Mountains to Sound Trail recently. KPG and the City will be inviting public input on the design starting in early 2022. They also will be working closely with the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Commission and the Washington State Department of Transportation throughout the project.

On March 2, 2021,the Mercer Island City Council approved the recommendations made by the Parks and Recreation Commission for a menu of improvements to the Mountains to Sound (I-90) Trail through Aubrey Davis Park. This paves the way for the City to get a $500,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to design and construct these improvements.

The Parks and Recreation Commission's "Project Framework" involves working with a consultant and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to develop a set of "low-impact" improvements such as striping, street bypass routes, speed limits, signage, trail markings, and shoulder restoration on the portion of the trail that goes through the "Lid Park". The specifics of the improvements, their locations and designs are yet to be determined. The project is intended to improve the comfort and safety for the many people that use the trail and the park. This effort would adhere to the Aubrey Davis Park Master Plan which generally maintains the trail at its existing width in the project area.

Once the grant agreement is signed, the City will hire a consultant who is qualified to design such multi-use trail improvements. The initial 30% design will be reviewed by the public, the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council before design work continues.

Conceptual Design Approach

The City has identified four main baseline treatments to implement at improvement areas based on each area’s specific needs. These treatments include pavement markings, wayfinding and signage, vegetation management, and redefined mixing zones. These strategies are considered the baseline of what is needed to achieve the project’s goals of enhanced safety for all trail users. In areas that have been identified for prioritized improvements, there is an opportunity to use additional placemaking elements to incorporate art and add to the unique character of Aubrey Davis Park. The public can guide the selection of these placemaking elements by filling out the Aubrey Davis Trail Improvements Survey.

Take our online survey to provide feedback on these design ideas.

Prioritized Improvement Areas: Conceptual Alternatives

The City has selected three areas of the park that will receive the highest level of improvements based on their current usage and need for additional safety measures. For each of these key areas, there are two design concepts that the public can weigh in on. The final designs may reflect a combination of both options.

Take our online survey to provide feedback on the design ideas for these three locations.