Newcastle Trails Annual Meeting 10/19/26. On Monday, October 19, we’ll hold a public meeting 7PM-9PM, open to all, at the Newport Hills Community Church, 5833 119th Ave SE, Bellevue. Enter the parking lot from SE 58th.
Social time is 6:30-7, with refreshments, maps, displays, and handouts. Jason Lederer of Renton Parks will discuss park and trail projects on the south and west sides of Newcastle. We’ll have other talks, with time for discussion. Meet Newcastle’s new Public Works Director Kevin Anderson, other City officials, and folks from local nonprofits. Learn about new trails and parks in and near Newcastle.
Newcastle Town Hall Meeting 9/29/26. On Tuesday, September 29, 6:30PM – 9PM, at Risdon Middle School, 6928 116th Avenue SE, Newcastle. At 6:30 the doors will open for the community to meet the City Council, City Staff, and members of local nonprofit groups (including Newcastle Trails). It’s an opportunity for you to thank the City for what they do for us, ask questions, and make recommendations. At 7pm, the meeting will begin.
“The Newcastle City Council invites all community members to the Fall Town Hall Meeting. It’s a chance to hear updates on city priorities, ask questions, and share your feedback directly with Council and staff. The meeting is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Families are welcome; childcare and supervised activities will be available on site. Your voice matters! Join the conversation about Newcastle’s future.”
CrossTown Trail. Major improvements now underway will bring the trail up to a higher standard than ever before.
On the West CrossTown Trail in Hazelwood Park, a new boardwalk is under construction, wider and stronger than the original. A short distance west, the steps up Cowboy Hill will be improved. According to the City’s website, “Construction is expected to run from August into early October, roughly twelve weeks. Work will generally take place Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. No weekend work is anticipated.” We’re excited to see this stretch of the CrossTown Trail upgraded.
On the East CrossTown Trail, Peggy Price and other volunteers, with rock and rock-breaking help by the City, have nearly finished major improvements to the upper half. Work on the lower half, just east of the Parkway, is next on the agenda.
Coal Creek Trail. This great Bellevue trail will be usable during sewer construction east of the Parkway, but the Parkway trailhead is closed. You can access the trail from Newcastle Commons (use the Thomas Rouse Trail), the YMCA, the Cinder Mine Trailhead on Newcastle Golf Club Road, or the Red Town Trailhead on Lakemont. A new trail and bridge (opening soon) joins Coal Creek Trail between the Cinder Mine Trail and the historic Milt Swanson parcel, now being developed by Bellevue (thanks to the “Save Coal Creek” effort).
Lakemont Boulevard divides the Swanson parcel from the Red Town Trailhead in Cougar Mountain Park. For a great loop walk, take the Coal Creek Trail to Red Town, and loop back on another trail (see the NT map at www.newcastletrails.org).
Southeast Newcastle. The planned GreenCastle development will offer new and safer trail links to Cougar Mountain Park and the DeLeo Wall viewpoint. Just south of Newcastle, the planned Northeast Renton Park will extend east from the Parkway, with trails on the south side of May Creek and pedestrian access to the May Creek Greenway.
Newcastle Parks & Trails Planner. This position, now held by Brendan Hutchins, is essential. Brendan is responsible for the Hazelwood Park projects described above, and those listed below (not a complete list).
1. Completed City Projects:
- The westernmost portion of the old railroad portion of the May Creek Trail was significantly upgraded. Large roots were removed, the surface was leveled, and gravel was added so that the surface is wider and much easier to walk or ride on.
- The lower entrance of the Terrace Trail was rerouted and new steps were constructed.
- Rock delivery to the East CrossTown Trail was arranged, which was necessary for Newcastle Trails volunteers to complete the upper half of the trail.
2. Upcoming City Projects:
- Newcastle Trails will also need rock to crib the lower portion of the East CrossTown Trail.
- Obtaining bids will be necessary to construct the switchback sectionof the Horse Trail this coming year. The new Horse Trail switchbacks (28 of them!) are walkable with care, but will need finish work done to widen the trail, extend its life, and harden drainages. Brendan hopes to hire that work done in 2027.
- A new ADA-accessible trail into the Cemetery is planned. An entrance gate has been installed in the new fence; the trail will be built up to it.