A regional trail project connecting Buellton, Solvang and Santa Ynez is gaining momentum, with more than $1.1 million in early funding identified and design work expected to begin this fall.

Led by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, the Santa Ynez Valley Active Transportation Regional Connector would create a roughly 9-mile multiuse path from River View Park in Buellton to the junction of Highways 246 and 154.

The planned alignment would connect neighborhoods, tribal lands and schools across the Santa Ynez Valley, with design details expected to vary by segment based on terrain and community input.

At last month’s Buellton City Council meeting, project planners said the path’s design would not follow a uniform template.

“The trail is going to look different as it moves along the different communities,” said Rose Hess, an SBCAG committee member and Buellton City Council member. “It’s never been envisioned as one continuous design through Buellton, Solvang and the Chumash area. It’s going to be relevant to the community and to the terrain.”

Fred Luna, SBCAG’s director of project delivery and construction, said the path’s features will vary depending on how each segment is expected to be used.

“Some areas are wanting to see equestrians,” Luna said. “Some areas, like within the city of Solvang, there are limited opportunities, so some of it’s going to be on-street improvements.”

He pointed to an existing bike and pedestrian path near Alamo Pintado Road that already connects to Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. That section, he said, was not built for horses, meaning equestrian access will be limited to specific stretches where the terrain and infrastructure allow it.

Luna explained that the current phase of the trail project will focus on preliminary design, community outreach and environmental review, with public workshops expected after a design consultant is hired.

The SBCAG board recently voted to approve the agreement for project coordination and design support.

Hess said Buellton is further along than other jurisdictions, with easements already secured between River View Park and Avenue of Flags, as well as east of McMurray Road. That head start puts the city in a strong position to begin design work and pursue future construction grants. She said the goal is to reach the 30% design milestone to strengthen the city’s chances for additional funding.

Luna said Buellton is also on a tighter timeline because of a $425,000 State Parks grant that must be used by June 2027. With key groundwork in place, the city can move ahead independently while other segments catch up, including a California Environmental Quality Act review.

In total, more than $1.1 million has been identified for the project: the State Parks grant to Buellton, a $383,016 Caltrans grant from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and plans for $381,000 from the county’s Third District.

Luna said SBCAG plans to issue a request for proposals this week, kicking off a consultant-led process to shape the project’s next phase.