Trails Planning with Pizza!
Posted January 20, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Park volunteers install a puncheon on the Bell Point-Westcott Bay trail – SJINHP photo
San Juan Islanders will have the opportunity to talk about trails and enjoy freshly baked pizza during a Mitchell Hill and Westcott Bay Trails Workshop scheduled 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday January 22 at the Mullis Senior Center.
San Juan Island National Historical Park is in the process of drafting a Development Concept Plan for 382 acres of uplands, forests and shoreline that became part of English Camp in 2010 and 2013.
A Douglas fir stands in full on the Mitchell Hill summit – SJINHP photo
The proposed land will provide a blueprint for future facilities and recreational activities for each new area. The public workshop to gather public input on trail use and design is the next step in the process.
The park’s vision is to establish a system of non-motorized trails at Mitchell Hill and Westcott Bay that honors the unique character of these secluded coastal wetland and forest areas, according to park Integrated Resources Manager Jerald Weaver.
The trails connect English Camp to adjoining properties, support a diversity of recreational experiences, and are an integral part of the island-wide community trail system.
The Trails Workshop will consist of two parts:
- Block One will focus on existing trail use and conditions.
- Block Two will explore planning for the future, looking specifically at potential multiple and single-use trails, access to both trails and trailheads, protection of sensitive resources, and opportunities for interpretation and visitor support facilities.
“Our goal is to provide walking, bicycling and equestrian trail experiences, along with enhanced accessibilityto these trails,” Weaver said.
“We want to foster cooperation between the park, trail users and neighboring landowners and we need help from islanders in guiding development of a trail system at English Camp that both meets the needs of the park and enhances our island community — please come join the conversation.”
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Categories: Around Here
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