Visit Kitsap Peninsula and Kitsap County have been notified that the Washington Water Trails (WWTA) has adopted the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail as an official segment of the Cascadia Marine Trail (CMT), a National Scenic Trail. The announcement was made by Morgan Scherer, executive director of Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA).

“Adding KPWT as a robust segment of the CMT is a fantastic opportunity to enrich the entire Cascadia Marine Trail that will generate excitement about public access to our waterways and enjoyment of water trail activities,” said Scherer. “WWTA is excited to work together to share this important water trail with residents and visitors to Washington State.”

The Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail is currently featured on the WWTA website along with other popular water trails in Washington State that serve nearly 500,000 people. KP Water Trail events will be featured on the WWTA website, Facebook page, in newsletters and press releases generating state and national attention for the Kitsap Peninsula region.

According to John Kuntz, owner of Olympic Outdoor Center, paddling related visits contribute nearly $1.7 million to Kitsap County economy.

“It’s an honor to have KP Water Trails recognized by a respected organization like the WWTA,” said Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder. “This is another important step towards establishing the Kitsap Peninsula region as major visitor destination for water trail activities and events.” Commissioner Gelder participated in the official ribbon cutting of the KP Water Trails last August.

WWTA cited Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails and Alliance is an exemplary model for how other communities on the Salish Sea and throughout Washington can enhance and bring water trails to life in their own area.  Kitsap County and Visit Kitsap Peninsula recently formed the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails Alliance to oversee management of the KP Water Trails system. The KPTW is in the final stages of going through the process of being included as part of the National Park Service Water Trails program.

The WWTA was founded in 1990 and works closely with the National Park Service (NPS) State Parks, County Parks, individual land owners, DNR, city and county agencies, DOT and others to manage the Cascadia Marine Trail, Willapa Bay Trail, and Lakes to Locks Urban Trail.

In addition, WWTA provides technical support, expertise and assistance in managing the Lower Columbia River Water Trail and the Northwest Discovery Water Trail, and are available to communities that wish to establish and maintain a water trail program.

For more information, please visit www.wwta.org.