Bainbridge Island Outreach

11/18/2011 ►

Becoming a Greenway: Advanced Networking to Integrate Trail Systems with Open Space

A uniquely Bainbridge event brought together groups from on and off Island to share vital information and consider together our next steps in growing an integrated system of trails through open space.

This gathering was hosted on November 7th by Sustainable Bainbridge, co-sponsored by the Bainbridge Municipal Parks and Recreation District, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, the COBI Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee, and Squeaky Wheels. A comfortably full crowd of about 80 people came together at the Bainbridge Commons with structured presentations, displays, and refreshments.

The occasion for the event was an outreach by leaders of the North Kitsap Trails Association and Kitsap County officials to share information and take comment on the North Kitsap String of Pearls Trail Plan. This plan will be considered by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners for adoption on November 28th. The plan provides a framework for development of an integrated system of trails and on-road connections, as well as water trails--in a way that preserves and enhances open space. It supports the approach and progress already made on Bainbridge, including the Sound to Olympics (Regional Greenway) Trail--which will connect to regional trails in King County and on the Olympic Peninsula.

The timing of this Bainbridge event made it possible to include a section of program devoted to the emerging Great Kitsap Forest and Bay Project. The GKFBP has been organized to support negotiations between Pope Resourcesʼ Olympic Property Group, the Port Gamble SʼKlallam Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe, Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy), the Great Peninsula Conservancy, and Kitsap County to preserve as much as possible of Popeʼs land holdings as open space with public trails. The principals in this negotiation just announced on October 19th, the signing of an option agreement allowing 18 months to demonstrate significant progress toward purchase of these lands.

Pope has allowed public use on itʼs privately-owned timberland for many years, but plans to divest itself of most of itʼs holdings in Kitsap, with a default plan to sell it off in 20 acre parcels. These existing trails are heavily used by Bainbridge and other Kitsap residents for walking, mountain biking, horse riding, and other outdoor activities.

Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder (who represents the North District which includes Bainbridge), led in presenting this initiative. Liz Johnston, Project Manager with Forterra, and Sandra Staples-Bortner, Executive Director of the Great Peninsula Conservancy, had developed the presentation jointly with Commissioner Gelder, and were present as well. Jon Rose, President of Popeʼs Olympic Property Group, who was also present, contributed additional information.
Key to the success of this Bainbridge event was the active participation of a host of Island organization leaders to share and glean information to cultivate ongoing collaboration--both on Bainbridge, and at the County level.    In addition to the co- sponsors, representatives of the COBI Road Ends Committee, COBI City Council, Friends of Farms, Waterfront Trail Committee, Grace Episcopal Church Arboretum/Trail Committee, Bainbridge Island School District, and West Sound Cycling Club described their work as it relates to the common vision of building the integrated system of trails with open space on Bainbridge and across to the Hood Canal Bridge.

Those organizing this event had planned to adjourn to informal conversation following brief presentations by our local organizations. However, the audience instead preferred remain as a group for additional sharing and consideration of next steps, and then stuck around beyond the planned ending time for informal conversation.

One suggestion which drew support was that we have on Bainbridge a similar gathering--to pool information and sync our combined work--at least once a year, possibly as much as quarterly. The time seems right to have such regular opportunity to put our heads together, much like the Mountains to Sound Greenway does with extraordinary results.

Check out an excellent set of photos of this gathering taken by Rick Gordon.

Additional information is available about the Great Kitsap Forest & Bay Project.