Lord Hill Regional Park Preferred Plan Process

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Project Contact

Emily Griffith, Senior Park Planner

Email: emily.griffith@snoco.org

Phone: 425-388-6620


Press Inquiries

Rose Intveld, Communications Specialist/PIO

Email: rose.intveld@snoco.org

Phone: 425-388-6621


UPDATES

Updated: August 11, 2022

Final Preferred Plan

For information on upcoming work in the park or for how to get involved, visit the main Lord Hill Park page.


To receive future updates for this project (and others) visit our e-newsletter subscription page and subscribe to "Updates from Snohomish County Parks".

OVERVIEW

Please see different tabs below for more information.

  1. DESCRIPTION
  2. PREVIOUS UPDATES
  3. DOCUMENTS

LHRP is a 1,480-acre park located in central Snohomish County between the cities of Snohomish and Monroe. Set in former timberland, the park offers approximately 30 miles of trails where visitors can traverse uphill and downhill through the forest passing wetlands and ponds dotted throughout the landscape. The park is popular with hikers, runners, equestrians, mountain bikers, wildlife watchers, orienteering groups, nature enthusiasts, educators and more. As one of the largest parks in our county parks system, Lord Hill Regional Park is an important park for not only the county, but the greater Puget Sound region.


With a Master Plan originally published in 1988 and last updated in 1996, plans for the park were outdated. Use of the park has changed significantly in the last thirty years and it has become clear that currently the park does not meet the recreation needs of its users. An updated Preferred Plan for Lord Hill was finalized July 2022 to respond to current use of the park and proactively plan for future use. 

The Preferred Plan takes a holistic and long-term look at how recreation uses interact with each other and the environment within the park. 


The highlights of the plan include: 

  1. A cohesive trail system update
  2. Updated trail guidelines for all trail building 
  3. A balanced system of multi-use, hiking-only, hiking/biking, biking-only and equestrian/hiking trails 
  4. Increased safety at trail intersections 
  5. North entrance reconfiguration including a parking lot swap 
  6. Decommissioning of unsustainable and/or rogue trails 
  7. A comprehensive wayfinding and signage plan 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Updated: September 13, 2022

  1. EDUCATION
  2. GET INVOLVED
  3. HISTORY
  4. PREFERRED PLAN PROCESS
  5. CURRENT ISSUES
  6. FUTURE

I’m new to shared-use trails. What is the etiquette when using Lord Hill Regional Park trails? 





Here are the basics of right-of-way broken down depending on what type of trail user you are (from Washington Trails Association):


HIKERS

As a hiker, you're probably the slowest trail user out there when compared to bikes and horses. What hikers lack in speed though is made up in maneuverability, allowing them to find areas to yield to other trail users easily. Here are some tips for meeting other trail users while on a hike:

  • Hikers should yield to equestrians when possible. If the conditions permit, step to the downhill side of the trail.
  • Communicate with equestrians and try not to make any sudden movements when the horse passes to avoid startling it.
  • If you encounter another hiker, the hiker moving downhill yields to the hiker moving uphill.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS

Mountain bikers are the fastest-moving trail users out there on a descent, so keeping an eye ahead on the trail is good practice. Here are a few tips and guidelines for riding on a multi-use trail:

  • Mountain bikers should yield to both hikers and equestrians when possible.
  • Watch speeds around blind corners where you might encounter another trail user.
  • Some equestrians may ask you to dismount from the bike as they pass to avoid startling the horse.
  • Wait for horses to fully pass before resuming your ride.
  • If you encounter another mountain biker, yield to the rider moving uphill.

EQUESTRIANS

As the largest trail user, equestrians and their horses can be intimidating for other trail users to encounter. Communicating with hikers and mountain bikers about how best to yield is good practice. Here are some tips for encountering mountain bikers and hikers:

  • Though equestrians have the right-of-way when meeting hikers and mountain bikers, there may be situations where it makes more sense to yield than pass. This is especially pertinent if mountain bikers are approaching from behind on a descent.
  • Use clear communication to other trail users to ensure they won't be in the way when passing.
  • Politely ask mountain bikers to dismount if your horse is easily startled or unsure around bikes.
  • If you encounter another equestrian, find a wide area to yield and allow the horse moving uphill to pass.

TRAIL USERS WITH DOGS

Taking your dog onto trails comes with an added set of responsibilities to not only your pet but also to other trail users. Here are some tips and guidelines for bringing your dog on the trail:

  • Trail users with dogs should yield to all other trail users.
  • It's best practice (and on some trails, the law) to have your dog on leash. Dogs must be on-leash at LHRP.
  • Keep your dog close when passing children, horses, or other dogs, even if your dog is friendly. Be sure to communicate with equestrians to ensure the horse isn't startled by the presence of other animals.

Here are some great resources for more trail education: