In the
early part of the 20th century, a large park stretched along the
banks of the Yakima River east of downtown Yakima. Named for the
sumac trees that grew along the river, the Park was a popular spot.
But in 1933, that all ended when the Yakima River flooded, and
Sumach Park was devastated. In the years that followed, the river
was lined with slaughterhouses, gravel pits, and mills. Sumach Park
became the city dump, even sprouting a small peach orchard where
the canneries had dumped peach pits. The city's poor lived along
the river, but most Yakima residents avoided the
area.
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. Over ten miles of paved pathway connect parks,
river access landings, nature trails, fishing lakes, and protected
natural areas. State and federal grants, along with local matching
money, helped build many of the parks and pathways. The citizens of
Yakima have generously given time, money, energy, and ideas to
bring the vision of the Greenway to life.