March 28, 2001, Cont'd Trail From 1A it one step forward - a Centennial Trail which will form a 24-mile loop from the mouth of Ogden Canyon to the confluence with the Weber River, and back up the Weber River to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Along the way, several non-riverside cities such as Washington Terrace could link into the trail providing their residents a taste of the river experience. Although completion of the trail is a long way from reality, cities are in the process of acquiring land and building trails that will one day link the area. "Until three years ago, very little was being done on the part of government," said Jay Hudson. "Now all the elected officials along the Centennial Trail have a high degree of interest because of what it can do for tourism and the economy." Hudson, a South Ogden resident, has tirelessly promoted the trail, striking deals for easements, acquiring land and marshalling volunteers to build the trail. "Every time I think we're about to make a lot of progress, some unforeseen issue is raised," he said. "It slows you down." Although some parts, like Ogden's stretch from the MTC Learning Park to Washington Boulevard, are developed, others have not even been plotted. "Sometimes I get really, really discouraged and frightened that it might not happen," said Riverdale city council-woman Nancy Brough. "The big problem is where we don't own enough land to put a trail to make those connections." Riverdale Riverdale has completed a short section from its city offices to under Riverdale Road with the help of the Utah De-partment of Transportation. But it's been slow going. That stretch, which took about three years to get built, only constitutes about 3/4 of a mile of trail - and the city already SHAWN FAGAN/Standard-Examiner Dena Dominguez of Ogden starts up the 22nd Street trailhead for a hike. owned the land, Brough said. Recently, the Riverdale City Council approved the route for the trail's north end alignment. But it still needs approval from the Army Corps of Engineers before it can start building. And it still doesn't have a consensus of what the trail will look like. "I think everybody, even the council, has a different concept of what a river trail should and can be" Brough said. "It seems to be the concept of some kind of river trail system is universally accepted at this point. Even those who used to have severe opposition to the trail. Some want the area left natural. Others see grass, benches, picnic tables, ball fields." Hudson said the real problem is money and leadership. "People are catching the vision. We just need to throw more resources at it," he said. "We need to have people as-signed to it that are paid to do it. We need a commitment on the part of each of the cities at a higher level." Godfrey agrees. "On the city's side, I've been leading out. One of the administration's goals is the full implementation of the parkway," Godfrey said. Leadership has also stepped forward in the multi-government arena. "Something that's important is that it's not a city's parkway," Godfrey said. "(The Weber Area Council of Governments) has agreed to be that leader." One major roadblock to Ogden's trail system is Washington Boulevard. Initially, UDOT agreed to put a trail under the roadway when it built the bridge over the boulevard near 18th Street. That never happened. This legislative session, the City Council and Godfrey had agreed that getting money to get the trail under the street would be one of its top priorities. But that plan soured when Godfrey told legislators Ogden did not need trail funding and instead pitched his high-tech center. To build the trail and pedestrian underpass, Godfrey is looking to a local construction company to provide the work free of charge. He still needs firms to donate materials. And he needs permission from UDOT engineers, who initially opposed the plan. Despite the delay, the city plans to go ahead with the trail between Washington Boulevard and Wall Avenue while it waits for UDOT approval, said Don Bruey, the city's park and recreation director. Work will begin April 21 on the trail. "The actual path is all on land that is procured," Bruey said. The city is also in the process of a blight survey that could condemn up to 160 homes along that section of the river. If the area is declared blighted, the city wants to develop the area into a river walkway, similar to that in San Antonio, Texas. Less grandiose plans are in the works for a section of the trail near Fort Buenaventura. With the help of a grant, Hudson plans to bring the trail under the 24th Street viaduct, 51