Kitsap County applies for 3 Port Gamble Trails grants

online.

Kitsap County is already using that work to seek grant funds. One of the grants is focused on acquiring the Sound to Olympics Trail corridor and the other two are to buy land on the Babcock ridge for a 200 acre Mountain Bike Ride Park. Our partners, West Sound Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) plan to invest lots of volunteer hours to turn that dream into reality. Providing the right location for the most active recreation (further away from sensitive areas) is a goal that many of our partners support. Our community rallied around this grant effort and we were able to get 26 letters of support, including Washington Bikes, Congressman Kilmer, Senator Rolfes, Representatives Hansen and Appleton, Visit Kitsap, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Kitsap Audubon, Kitsap Public Health district, all our local bike organizations and partners in Poulsbo, Kingston, Suquamish, Bainbridge and the non-profit community.

article on the Ride Park projects.

It's important to remember, even if all 3 grants succeed, we still have a LONG way to go. The great majority of the Port Gamble trails and land still have no identified funding source. With 534 acres of the shoreline in County ownership, the County now owns about 14% of the Port Gamble land and trails. If we are successful with all three of these next grants, we'll have secured trail access to just under 30% of the Port Gamble trail network.

BI Olympic Drive Project Meeting
Wed, July 30th, 7 PM at Bainbridge City Hall

This project provides the initial section of the Sound to Olympics Trail, safer on-road bike facilities, as well as wider & more accessible pedestrian walkways between the tollbooths at the Bainbridge WSF terminal and Winslow Way. It will integrate with the recently completed Winslow Way Reconstruction and Waypoint Park, and the new promenade and protected bike lanes being developed along the Seattle Waterfront. In addition to making this section of SR 305 safer for the large and growing number of bicycle commuters, it will enable families with children to travel by bicycles to attractive destinations on Bainbridge and in Seattle, such as Myrtle Edwards Park.

Sound to Olympics work group

Participants will be able to review and comment on their preferences for three design options developed by consultants for the City. The City's Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee and City Staff will use this feedback to produce a final design, which will be constructed in 2015. The North Kitsap Trails Association and Squeaky Wheels have been key partners in preparing this grant and facilitating development of design alternatives.

Great Summer Events

7/27 - Tour de Kitsap. West Sound Cycling Club is hosting their 21st annual Kitsap ride, with a new start in Kingston, as well as Silverdale and Bremerton. There are four different ride lengths, from 32 to 100 miles, and strawberry shortcake at the finish! Something for everyone!
8/3 - Port Gamble Half Marathon. This is part of the "Roots and Rocks series" and is run on the trails in Port Gamble. You can register at Poulsbo Running or get more info above.
8/10 - Squeaky Wheels' Bike for Pie. They've got the usual 32 mile challenge course, a new family ride and the same great pie!
8/23 - Paddle Kitsap. Paddle the acclaimed Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail on this 1 day adventure from Port Orchard to Silverdale and experience one of the nations best paddling destinations.
9/21 - Kitsap Color Classic. Cascade Bike Club offers 25, 39 and 57 mile loops through north Kitsap, starting in Kingston.
10/12 - Poulsbo Marathon. (plus 1/2 marathon, 10K & relays!) This is an ideal time of year for a run and a fundraiser for NKTA. So start training now or come help cheer on the runners!
10/26 - Spooky 12k. Another run on the Port Gamble trails and part of the Roots and Rocks series.

April Celebration of Port Gamble Shoreline Acquisition

Kitsap Forest & Bay celebration

In April, we had a large turnout to celebrate the first acquisition of the Kitsap Forest and Bay Project. It was a wonderful event and a great opportunity to both celebrate and thank all the people who helped make this happen. Forterra made a great video and in just a few minutes of your time, you can hear what all of your local elected officials, Forterra, the Great Peninsula Conservancy and Tribal leadership have to say about the project.