An effort is underway to create a trail system for pedestrians and bicyclists that would link up West Seattle's most popular destinations.

The Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association with help from the National Park Service is advancing the Dells and Ridges Trail System. The project would create a "ribbon of connection" among West Seattle businesses, schools, parks and existing pathways. Most of the new trail system would consist of existing sidewalks, pathways and public stairways.

"It's a system, not just one trail," said Susan Rosebrough, a planner with the National Parks Service.

Perhaps the most expensive part of the proposal would be making directional and information signs, said Kate Stannard, project manager for the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association.

Besides forming a pedestrian and bicycling conduit for Delridge, another goal of the trail system is to make better east-west connections between Delridge and the rest of West Seattle, Stannard said.

"A peninsula trail system is our goal," Stannard said. Another is "community building," she said.

The National Park Service is involved because part of its mission is to help communities with nature-based recreation development and conservation of environmental, historic and cultural resources. Usually small towns get the help, explained Susan Rosebrough, a planner with the program. But the National Park Service responds to requests and the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association asked for assistance.

"Delridge is somewhat isolated," Rosebrough said.

The Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association proposes a trail of sidewalks and public stairways along Brandon Street to connect High Point to South Seattle Community College.

A walkway along 30th Avenue could connect High Point to Camp Long as well as Brandon Street.

What if Kenyon Street was designated as a pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians?

Another proposal is a bike lane painted on Delridge Way.

People in the Morgan Junction area heard about the Dells and Ridges Trail System and are interested in connecting it to their proposed "Green Crescent" of parks - Myrtle Street Reservoir, Orchard Street Ravine, Solstice Park (formerly Lincoln Park Annex), Lowman Beach Park and the Pelley Place ravine.

Planners are asking West Seattleites to fill out a questionnaire to help them figure out what else to include in the Dells and Ridges Trail System. Among the questions, people are asked to list the parks and trails they like walking or biking on.

Other questions ask if there are places where people feel unsafe. Do they prefer trails equipped with benches, restrooms, pet-waste disposal, artwork and directional or interpretive signs?

The questionnaire also gets at whether people prefer walking, running, biking, inline skating or skateboarding.

After people fill out the survey forms and the results are tabulated, planners can then figure out what destinations and routes to include. The Dells and Ridges Trail System is scheduled for completion next summer. Then a community meeting is planned for November to present and comment on the plan.

To participate in the Dells and Ridges Trail System public survey, go to the following Internet address: http://www.feetfirst.info/localadvocacy/dells_and_ridges

Or contact Kate Stannard, project manager, at 923-0917, ext. 111 or e-mail kates@dnda.org