The City of Port Orchard has received a $60,000 state grant that will be used for the construction of the Blackjack Creek Wilderness Trail project, the first part of a proposed network of urban trails.

“This is the first step in building a trail network that will be accessible to all the residents of Port Orchard within the city limits,” said Development Director James Weaver.

The trail, approximately 1.25 miles long, will eventually be part of a 13-mile trail network.

The project includes the construction of a small trailhead area near the mouth of Blackjack Creek, a minimum of two disabled-accessible viewpoints, and a hiking trail along the eastern bank of the creek to a connection with Givens Center.

According to Weaver, the 1.25 mile trail project is a much needed beginning to many park and trail improvements proposed for throughout the city. In the future, the project will connect to a proposed extension of the entire Blackjack Creek trail network beginning at the shores of Sinclair Inlet and allowing pedestrian travel all the way to the city limits near the intersection of Sedgwick Road and Sidney Road.

Design, permitting, and construction on the trail is expected to begin in Spring 2010. Its completion date depends on how many people volunteer to help with building the trail.

“This will all be accomplished with hand tools,” Weaver said. “There will be no heavy equipment in the trail corridor.”

Weaver said that he hoped the trail would be open to hikers in Fall 2010.