KINGSTON — What is affectionately called the “Triangle Property” may become a new location for environmental education within a few years.
The three-acre parcel on Barber Cut Off Road is owned by Stillwaters Environmental Education Center and has been undergoing development for an 800-foot interpretive and educational trail, thanks to Kitsap County.
Stillwaters recently received a $2,500 donation from the county’s Stream Team and Department of Community Development. The grant was used to purchase materials to start work on a boardwalk, but additional money, labor and donated materials are needed, said Stillwaters’ administrative director Naomi Maasberg.
She estimated the cost of the trail — at $20 per foot for 800 feet — will ring in at $16,000.
The group also welcomes donations of any usable outdoor lumber, such as wood from a decking project, Maasberg said. Stillwaters also needs volunteer time and funds.
The property is currently the home to a beaver pond and wetlands, as well as a semi-established trail, Maasberg said. However, once the path is established, it will become a “teaching trail” for the local elementary schools. The walkway will be durable, interactive and interpretive for kids as well adults, Maasberg said. She also hopes it will become part of the master trail plan that is being developed throughout North Kitsap, which will allow residents to hike from Eglon to Indianola without crossing major roadways.
Tim Todd, manager of Kingston Classic Cycle and an assistant crew leader with Washington Trails Association, is spearheading the effort and believes it will take at least two years to complete.
But at a trail work party earlier this month, Todd just wanted to rearrange several large pieces of concrete that were located at the entrance of the trail. The concrete was removed from the wetlands areas last year.
The December work party also helped supporters get a better idea of how to place boardwalk over the wetlands part of the trail.
Todd said he plans to accomplish weed prevention by laying down some special trail cloth on the 100-foot stretch between the entrance and the bridge. Fred Hill Materials was expected to donate recycled crushed concrete to lay on top of the cloth later in the week.
“It packs down for trails real nicely,” Todd said about his previous experience with recycled concrete.
For about 180-feet beyond the bridge, decking will be installed for a boardwalk over the wetlands’ portion.
Additionally, there will be an ADA accessible trail to the stream on Barber Cut-Off Road, Maasberg added.
Todd and Maasberg said they expect trail development to take a couple of years because of labor needed, lack of funding and the fact that no machinery will be used in the process — it’s all hands-on work and WTA requires that tools must be carried on the trail.
