There has been a bit of misleading information out there regarding on-Island trail development published lately. Some of this can be attributed to misleading and incomplete articles published in local news sources and online forums. I would encourage anyone with concerns about local trail planning and development – do a little more research and reach out to the people involved.

Here’s one source that may serve to address recently-raised questions.

The Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District (hereafter BIMPRD or simply ‘Parks’) published an update to its Comprehensive Plan this year, and it has quite a lot to say about trail planning and development. It even has an entire chapter  (chapter 4) designated as a “Trails Vision Plan”.

You can find links to each document section here: http://www.biparks.org/aboutus/public_meetings.html

I’d like to call out a few sections: http://www.biparks.org/aboutus/documents/comp_plan2014/chap1-chap3.pdf on page 33, in the section entitled ‘Off-Road Trail Systems’ states as goals:

• Create a comprehensive system of trails appropriate to hike, bike, equestrian experiences that access scenic, environmental, historical, and open space attributes on the island, and expand and link the existing trail systems to create island-wide networks.
• Develop a series of trailheads, trailside rest stops, viewpoints, interpretive exhibits, and trail signage systems that integrate hike, bike, and horse trails with specific historical, cultural, environmental, and scenic points of interest , such as former boat landings, sawmills, farmsteads, roads, and bridges, among others.
• Where appropriate, complement continuous trail corridors and/or loop routes with parks, other public facilities, historical sites, and the Winslow urban center, and link to COBI’s non-motorized plan.
• Furnish trails with appropriate supporting trailhead improvements where appropriate that include interpretive and directory signage systems, rest stops, restrooms, parking and loading areas, water, and other services.
• Where appropriate, link to trailheads at or in conjunction with park sites, and other community facilities to increase local area access to island-wide trail systems and reduce duplication of supporting improvements.
• Develop trail improvements of a design and development standard that is easy to maintain and access by maintenance, security, and other appropriate personnel, equipment, and vehicles.
• Develop and support a Trails Committee and support volunteer Adopt-A-Trail programs for citizens and organizations to provide park maintenance and litter pick-up activities

In the next component is the Trails Vision Plan: http://www.biparks.org/aboutus/documents/comp_plan2014/chap4.pdf, where on page 17  is listed the Goals, which are to:

• Enhance the community’s use of District’s resources by expanding recreational use of District trails.
• Provide safe trails that protect and conserve the natural landscape.
• Provide for community connections to our unique history, landscapes and natural beauty.
• Promote health and wellness for community members with natural trails for hiking, jogging and experiencing nature.
• Increase community connections between the Winslow core, parks, recreation centers, schools and neighborhoods by linking to other publicly maintained non-motorized corridors.
• Integrate park trails into an island – wide transportation system which connects the island both north and south, and east and west.
• Coordinate with and compliment the City of Bainbridge Island (COBI) Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) for trails not in right-of-ways.
  
• Develop a trail classification system that meets the needs of a large variety of user types and abilities.

On the following page, there is a description of priorities, with this qualification:

Specific trail priorities will be set by the BIMPRD Board of Commissioners , generally during the annual budget development process, with the possibility of adjustments during the course of the year.
The District will focus its limited trail resources on the priorities established by the BIMPRD Board annually. Trail priorities are subject to change and may include the following:

The priorities are then listed as follows:

• Trails between parks (e.g. Forest to Sky Trail).
• Trails within parks (e.g. Grand Forest Trails).
• Trails that lead to points of interest, such as shoreline access or viewpoints.
• Cross-island trails (East/West, North/South) independent of the NMTP Core 40.
• Develop a series of trailheads, trailside rest stops, viewpoints, interpretive exhibits, and trail signage systems that integrate hike, bike, and horse trails with specific historical, cultural, environmental, and scenic points of interest – such as former boat landings, fish traps, sawmills, farmsteads, roads, and bridges, among others.
• Trails linking parks to COBI’s NMTP Core 40 corridor.
• Develop trail improvements of a design and development standard that is easy to maintain and access by maintenance, security, and other appropriate personnel, equipment, and vehicles.
• Develop and support an Adopt-A-Trail program for citizens and organizations to assist with trail maintenance activities.
• Development of an island-circumnavigating water trail. The trail may incorporate and improve a system of boat ramps, landings, and other improvements to public facilities for appropriate non – motorized watercraft. The water trail may be incorporated as an extension of the Cascade Marine Trail, which traverses from Canada to the southern reaches of Puget Sound

Finally, in the ‘Acknowledgements’ section are these statements:

• The Park District acknowledges COBI as the lead agency for development and maintenance of road ends and on-road pedestrian and bicycle touring routes, and scenic drives.
• The Park District will partner with public, private, and non-profit entities when available and applicable to develop and maintain an integrated system of trails on Bainbridge Island, such as the Sound to Olympics trail, NKTA’s String of Pearls, and COBI’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan including the Core 40 Plan.

After reading all of that, and reviewing the planning maps, I think you’ll find that the Parks District is working both to maintain and improve the trail network for all users, and when appropriate working with the other agencies to enhance overall trails connectivity. I’ve served as a volunteer with the Trails Advisory Committee for many years, and I can honestly say that trail connectivity has always been one of many considerations in the development of new trails.

And don’t forget: the Trails Advisory Committee meets at Battle Point Park on the 2nd Monday of each month (7 pm). Work parties vary by location but are always 4th Saturday of each month, 10 AM.