POULSBO — The Poulsbo Trails Committee has worked almost two years to quench Poulsbo residents’ thirst for trails.
The committee hopes it’s trails plan will be added to the 2009 Comprehensive Plan this fall. A 2007 Comprehensive Plan survey showed Poulsbo residents wanted connecting trails for biking, walking or just being outside, said Poulsbo Parks and Recreation Director Mary McCluskey.
The results of the survey landed the city a two-year grant from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. The survey and grant were the beginning of the Poulsbo Trails Committee.
“I knew I would have some support,” McCluskey said of the grant. “Maybe we wouldn’t have formed if it wasn’t for this push, so it was really nice to have it.”
The grant allows guidance and expertise from a trails planner to help the committee make a blueprint for Poulsbo’s future trails system.
The Poulsbo Trails Committee, composed of volunteer residents, business owners, representatives of organizations and government, formed in December 2008. Since its inception, the committee has worked to map prospective trail routes, gather ideas from the pubic and rally support for trail construction and maintenance. The overall goal was to create a plan for Poulsbo trails and incorporate it into the 2009 Comprehensive Plan.
“A lot of time has been spent doing this, inventorying what we have,” McCluskey said. “We’ll put some priorities together and then we’ll look for funding.”
The committee created an online survey and began public outreach at places like the Poulsbo Farmers Market to better understand the community’s priorities. Additional waterfront trails from Lemolo through downtown to Fish and Nelson Parks and the southern city limits topped the list. Connection trails to other trail systems outside the city is a close runner-up, said McCluskey.
“People want to connect, that’s what that one really tells me,” McCluskey said.
The trails plan is in the home stretch. Draft bike and pedestrian maps are available for review on the Poulsbo Trails Committee page of the City of Poulsbo’s website.
“It’s just been a great group,” McCluskey said. “Many are just residents who love Poulsbo basically and want to see it more walkable.”
The committee is teaming up with Kitsap Volkssporters on their bimonthly walk Saturday, June 5 for National Trails Day. The event will host another chance for Poulsbo residents to vote or voice their opinions on what they want for trails. Walkers can choose between a 3.1-mile route and a 6.2-mile route but must register first at Kvelstad Pavilion at 9 a.m. The walks start at 9:30 a.m.
For more information call Poulsbo Parks and Recreation, (360) 779-9898.
