Kitsap County Parks Department and Key Peninsula Metropolitan Park District jointly announced they will  continue their partnership to provide public access to Horseshoe Lake Park for the upcoming season.

The park, located near Sidney Road, is situated near the Pierce County line, has been a victim to budget reductions since 2010. The successful partnership between Key Peninsula Metropolitan Park District and Kitsap Parks calls for each agency to share in daily maintenance responsibilities.

The park will be open daily, daylight hours only, through Sept. 30.

“The park serves as a regional facility, attracting visitors from both counties to the waterfront park,” said Charlotte Garrido, Kitsap County commissioner

Kitsap County will continue to manage the park, provide all services throughout the season and be responsible for daily maintenance Fridays through Sundays and holidays.

Parks Director Jim Dunwiddie is pleased of the arrangement to open a park to the public throughout the season has worked well during the past seasons. He welcomed Key Pen’s offer to extend the season through September.

Key Pen Parks Executive Director Scott Gallacher, noted that his Park Board had expressed their desire to overcome jurisdictional lines to accommodate the regional residents’ leisure needs.

Gallacher noted that his organization, in turn, has partnered with the Pen Met Parks District to make the recreational asset available to the region.

The two Pierce County-based agencies will clean the area four days a week.

The partnership agreement notes that Kitsap County Parks and Key Pen Parks wish to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship by which they may in the future work together to achieve common objectives through shared maintenance responsibilities at the Park without duplicative effort and expense.

Dunwiddie and Gallacher both noted that each of their maintenance supervisors continue to meet at the park, to insure that all visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience.

The park offers access to the lake, swimming area, walking trails, picnic areas, playground, open playfield and restrooms.