New link in Burke-Gilman trail officially opens

On a day when hundreds of Seattle pedestrians were expected to identify their favorite walking routes for city planners, Mayor Greg Nickels officially opened a new segment of the popular Burke-Gilman Trail.

The paved and landscaped segment, about 20 blocks long, connects Northwest 60th Street to Golden Gardens Park along Puget Sound.

The improvement project was funded primarily through a $365 million levy passed in 2006 for a variety of work by the city's transportation department.

Residents met Saturday in neighborhoods throughout the city for a community effort called "Seattle Walks Day!" Participants filled out surveys and identified their preferred walking routes. Information will be considered by planners in developing the city's Pedestrian Master Plan, a process that is underway.