Port Gamble Shoreline Area Conceptual Trail Proposal

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1 The North Kitsap Trails Association is pleased to be a partner to the Kitsap Forest and Bay Project and assist Kitsap County, Forterra, Olympic Property Group, Great Peninsula Conservancy and the Port Gamble S'Klallam and Suquamish Tribes in efforts to preserve this land and public access. NKTA's mission is, "To unite North Kitsap County with a regional system of land and water trails that promotes stewardship of natural resources and enhances our communities livability." This Trail Proposal focuses on both public access and environmental stewardship in the Port Gamble shoreline area and features: Conceptual Trail Map for the shoreline and upland areas 2 Environmental restoration and education, & viewing areas, boardwalks & signage 3 Types of existing shoreline enjoyment and ways it could be improved 4 Existing major locations of shoreline access 5 Outline of trail types 7 Potential bicycle facilities, including the Sound to Olympics Trail 10 Water trails, Kayaks and parking 12 In four years as a non-profit promoting non-motorized land and water trails, NKTA has worked with numerous partners and volunteers, and has built and planned trails throughout our community. Together we have opened the North Kitsap Heritage Park for community use, linked the communities of Kingston and Indianola by trails, utilized feedback from over 1100 community members to create the North Kitsap String of Pearls Trail Plan, and worked with Kitsap County to have it adopted into their Comprehensive Plan. We have been assisted in these efforts by the National Park Service, Kitsap County, Olympic Property Group, the Suquamish Tribe, the City of Poulsbo, Community Advisory Committees, cycling organizations, and numerous individuals and community groups. On NKTA's survey, 94% of respondents said that trails of all types are important to their quality of life. But across every community and every age bracket, the highest priority is walking trails. The beauty of simple walking trails are that they can be built and maintained by volunteers, have minimal environmental impact and provide people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy nature. The challenge is they cannot exist without public access to open space. Two of NKTA's highest priorities are to acquire access for the Sound to Olympics Trail, and to conserve as much of the OPG open space and trails as possible. The mission of the Kitsap Forest and Bay project is very much aligned with the mission of the North Kitsap Trails Association. The 1.8 miles of shoreline present an unparalleled opportunity for a unique waterfront trail and the uplands are already a major trail destination and could link a gap in the Cross state trail. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 1

2 April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 2

3 Potential elements for environmental restoration and education Signage can be utilized to keep people on paths and pets leashed and picked up after Native vegetation, large woody debris & removal of invasive species Examples of viewing areas, boardwalks for sensitive areas and educational signs Boardwalks and viewing platforms can be used in sensitive areas and contain the impact of visitors Signage can be used for environmental, cultural or historical education. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 3

4 Types of existing shoreline enjoyment and ways it could be improved Improved Simple footpath through the woods Existing simple footpath through woods to beach People of all ages and abilities should have some trail access Handicapped accessible waterfront trail Bench and low safety fence could be installed in some locations Existing trail to bluff April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 4

5 Major locations of Existing shoreline access Existing footpaths to beach Some existing beach areas accessible by foot path April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 5

6 Existing beach access at road to cable crossing with trail to beach Existing road/trail to old pier and beach Existing shoreline access at Ladine DeCoteau Creek (potential kayak launch site) April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 6

7 Outline of trail types Incremental Trails System Development Trail systems should be allowed to develop incrementally. Most trails will always be simple dirt paths, but others may be planned for future handicap accessibility or to become a paved shared use path such as the Sound to Olympics Trail. Portions of the trail system may be built to a lower level than the intended final trail (i.e. phased trail development) for expediency based on availability of funding, ownership or permitting. 1. Level 1 - Basic Community/Recreational trail Diagram 1. This lowest level of trail development represents a path connecting areas within a neighborhood or community. These trails are intended for foot traffic only with relatively low volume. Basic Community/Recreational trails may range from primitive natural surface paths with some minor obstacles such as roots or rocks, to well-developed graded and maintained paths. Tread width and overhead clearance are flexible. No slope limit is specified. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 7

8 2. Level 2 Community Connector Trails Diagram 2. The Community Connector level trail would be constructed to connect communities within North Kitsap, i.e. the String of Pearls Communities. The level 2 trails are intended for a moderate volume of varied users to include foot traffic, mountain bikes, and horses. Construction will be required to produce a durable aggregate base and surface. Minimum tread width, maximum percent slope and minimum overhead clearance specifications are required. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 8

9 3. Level 3 Regional Trails Diagram 3. Sound to Olympics Trail. Regional trails are off-road trails connecting the cross-sound ferry terminals at Bainbridge Island and Kingston with the Hood Canal Bridge. Level 3 trails are intended for high volumes to include foot traffic, all types of bicycles, ADA conveyances, and horses. Construction will be required to produce a durable aggregate base and paved surface. Minimum tread width, maximum percent slope and minimum overhead clearance specifications are required. These are intended to ultimately be shared use paths as defined by the Federal Highway Administration. Considerations must be made for accessibility at trailheads and separation of users where appropriate and possible. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 9

10 Bike Facilities including the Sound to Olympics Trail Existing highway 104 through Port Gamble has no shoulders in some locations and inadequate shoulders at best. There is no safe paved bicycle facility on this major bicycling destination. The bluff next to the shoreline is mostly level and has remnants of old roads. This location because of the topography and shoreline view appeal, should be made accessible to people of all abilities. Existing logging roads are popular w/ cyclists, horseback riders and walkers Example of proposed Paved Shared Use Path The forested uplands west of highway 104 contain logging roads and trails which are heavily used by the public. These uplands are proposed for simple natural surface paths but are also a proposed location for the Sound to Olympics Trail. The Sound to Olympics Trail is intended to be a paved family and child friendly facility, and one which provides for people with disabilities, walkers, families with strollers, cyclists preferring a more leisurely pace and people using wheelchairs and walkers. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 10

11 The Sound To Olympics Trail Area of Port Gamble Shoreline Area Trail Proposal Conceptual Cross State Trail Map The Sound to Olympics Trail (STO) is in many local and regional transportation and planning documents. This regional trail (built to a "shared used path" standard) will connect the Burke-Gilman and other regional trails in the Mountains to Sound Greenway, via the ferries across Kitsap, and beyond the Hood Canal bridge to the Olympic Discovery Trail. The North Kitsap String of Pearls Trail Plan calls for the Sound to Olympics Trail to pass extensively through Pope lands including this portion of the Port Gamble block. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 11

12 Water trails, Kayaks and Parking Non motorized boat facilities would be very simple, a beach to pull up on and a simple walking path to the beach. Primary kayak launching facilities would be at the waterfront in Port Gamble and near the Ladine DeCoteau creek access. Major event and upland trail head parking would remain at the 16 acre ORCA area trail head. Secondary upland trail parking is on the upland side of 104 between the creeks. Parking facilities along the shoreline could be small, made of pervious material or include rain gardens for Low Impact stormwater treatment. April Approved by North Kitsap Trails Association Page 12