Yakima Greenway Gets Big Boost from Pacific Power

June 14, 2010

YAKIMA, Wash. – Moving dirt is often a first step toward beautifying an area, and today was no exception when Yakima Greenway officials broke ground on a new segment of the Yakima Greenway trail. The segment will eventually link the 10-mile Yakima Greenway network with the town of Naches.

In recognition of 100 years of service to the Yakima Valley, Pacific Power worked with local leaders to select an appropriate and lasting gift for the community – a Legacy gift. For Yakima’s gift, Pacific Power is contributing $40,000 to construct the one-eighth mile segment of the Yakima Greenway expansion that crosses in front of the company’s retired Naches Hydroelectric Project.

This portion of the trail is part of the 2.5-mile expansion toward the town of Naches to be completed this summer.

Guests at today’s groundbreaking included 92-year-old Letitia Morton Alvarez, whose father, Fred Morton, was an early PP&L employee and operator of the Naches hydro plant. They lived in on-site company housing until 1924. Mrs. Alvarez was accompanied by her cousin, State Rep. Norm Johnson.

“This is an exciting day for us at the Greenway,” said Garry Heilman, president of the Yakima Greenway Foundation. “We’ve been working hard to start this expansion of our trail and that day has finally arrived. The planned extension from 40th Avenue to Naches will open up another avenue to get out and bike, walk or jog along this beautiful path. Pacific Power realizes the importance of this new trail that will connect Yakima to Naches. We at the Greenway want to recognize and celebrate the 100 years that Pacific Power has been a part of our Valley. We also want to thank Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power, for the company’s generous contribution to the ‘Fund a Foot’ campaign to help build this trail.”

The Yakima Greenway includes more than 10 miles of paved pathways connecting Yakima, Selah and Union Gap along the Yakima River, and extending west along the Naches River. Through the “Fund a Foot” campaign, efforts now are focused on extending the pathway more than eight miles westward to connect with the town of Naches, following existing right of way along an abandoned rail line.

“Our thanks go to the Yakima Greenway Foundation, local community leaders and the many others who have done so much over the years to create this beautiful greenway, truly a local treasure,” said Pat Reiten, Pacific Power president. “Just as it has been an honor to serve our Yakima Valley customers for 100 years, it has been our privilege to help sponsor the greenway in the past. It seemed only natural to help expand the trail system to Naches.”

Pacific Power’s Legacy gift also includes an interpretative sign on the Naches Hydroelectric Project that will be placed once the trail is completed. The original Naches power facility began operations in 1907 and provided electricity to the area until it was retired in 2003, at one time providing 40 percent of the energy used by Pacific Power customers. The canal is still used by local irrigators but water formerly used for power generation is now part of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, dedicated to improving stream flows in an eight-mile stretch of the Naches River and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat.

About Pacific Power
In 2010, Pacific Power celebrates 100 years serving customers and communities. From our beginnings -- serving 7,000 customers in four Northwest communities -- Pacific Power now provides electric service to almost 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. Our goal is to provide our customers with value for their energy dollar, and safe, reliable electricity, for another 100 years. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 1.7 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.

About Yakima Greenway Foundation
The Yakima Greenway Foundation was formed in 1980 as a private, nonprofit land trust. Its mission was and is to conserve, enhance and maintain the Yakima Greenway as a continuing living resource for future generations. The Greenway now stretches from Selah Gap to Union Gap, and west along the Naches River to 40th Avenue. More than ten miles of paved pathway connect parks, river access landings, nature trails, fishing lakes and protected natural areas. For more information, visit www.yakimagreenway.org.

About Pacific Power Centennial Legacy Projects
In recognition of 100 years of service, Pacific Power is providing its original four communities with a lasting gift, a Legacy gift. Working with local community leaders, the following projects have been identified:

• Astoria, Ore. – Community tree planting and restoration of the historic Shively Fountain.
• Pendleton, Ore. – New scoreboard for Pendleton Round-Up, also celebrating a centennial in 2010.
• Walla Walla, Wash. – The new “Huff ‘n Puff” sustainability center at the Children’s Museum of Walla Walla.
• Yakima, Wash. – A new portion of the Yakima Greenway Trail adjacent to Pacific Power’s former Naches Hydroelectric Plant.