Temporary trail closure impacts Moran Prairie students

SPOKANE, Wash. — Some parents in Moran Prairie have to find a new way for their kids to get to class for the first few months of school.

A robocall brought the news to about 75 households this week, according to the Spokane Public Schools District. The message said the Ben Burr Trail is temporarily closed, so students who use it to walk to school need to find another way to get to class for now. The district estimated this could impact about 125 kids in the area.

� Moran Prairie Parents� The paved trail many kids take to school will be temporarily closed at the beginning of the school year. There is nearby construction on a park and ride, so the trail is closed off for now. #4NewsNow pic.twitter.com/b3rRBJRR1T

— Ariana Lake (@arianaKXLY) August 22, 2019

Crystal Ayala said her son and his friends used the trail all the time last year.

“It is nice, the convenience of it, having the trail right here,” Ayala said.

The busy corner of construction at 57th and Palouse Highway is the source of the temporary trail closure. Crews are building the new Moran Station Park and Ride, which is near Ben Burr Trail. The facility is expected to open later this year.

The school district’s message to parents said the trail closure will likely be in place into October.

Until then, parents can drive their kids to school or students can temporarily take the bus.

Pickup is at 7:45 each morning at 51st and Freya. Students will be dropped off there at 3:15 p.m., according to the school district.

There will be a second temporary bus stop at Havana and Windsong. That will have an 8:06 a.m. pickup and a 3:10 p.m. drop off each day.

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