Lake Union trail named in honor of Duwamish village chief

This summer, cyclists, walkers and joggers making the six-mile trip around Lake Union will see signs declaring the trail's new name: Cheslahud Lake Union Loop.

Mayor Greg Nickels chose the name to honor John Cheslahud (pronounced CHES-la-hud), a Duwamish village chief in the late 1800s who befriended Seattle pioneer David Denny and guided settlers in his canoe to Lake Union, Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. The chief and his wife were the last Duwamish family to live on Lake Union, on land Denny gave him at the foot of Shelby Street.

"I'm very honored and proud that the city is remembering the people who lived here, " said John Halliday, the great-great-great-grandson of Cheslahud.

In February, more than 500 people submitted names to the city's Department of Parks and Recreation for the six-mile loop, a mishmash of paved sidewalks, trails and narrow roads that is still a work in progress. More than 20 people suggested the Lake Union Loop or Tenas Chuck Trail (a reference to the Duwamish name for Lake Union).

Four people suggested honoring Cheslahud, Nickels said, and he drew names from a (reusable) grocery bag to decide which two got the first prize — $400 Novara Metro bicycles donated by REI. The Cheslahud signs will be installed on the trail in mid-July, officials said.

Among those who had sent in nominations, reaction to the mayor's choice was mixed.

"In a city with names like Denny, Blaine and Mercer, we don't have enough representation for the Duwamish, who were here long before us," said First Hill resident Zee Grega, one of the first-place winners.

"The Chesla-what?" said Queen Anne resident Melanie Grimes. After being informed of Cheslahud's historic role, she said the name was "terrific" but that it would take time for people to learn how to pronounce it properly and remember it.

Some might truncate the name, she said, as cyclists often refer to the Burke-Gilman Trail simply as the Burke. "Maybe we'll abbreviate it and call it 'the Chessie,' 'the Chester trail' or something like that."

Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com