Horseshoe Lake Park open daily due to partnership

(Port Orchard, WA) – Kitsap County Parks and Key Peninsula Metropolitan Park District jointly announced the creation of a partnership which will provide public access to Horseshoe Lake Park, daily, for the 2012 season. The popular park off Sidney Road, Port Orchard, situated near the Pierce County line, has been a victim to budget reductions during the past two years. Kitsap County Parks only had the resources to open Fridays and weekends during the recreation season. The partnership of Key Pen Parks and Kitsap Parks calls for each agency to share in daily maintenance responsibilities.

Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido had introduced the respective agency directors as both acknowledged that the park serves as a regional facility, attracting visitors from both counties to the waterfront park. Ken 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. Mr. Gallacher said that his agency will provide supplemental staff to address safety issues and clean the area four days a week. 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.

Kitsap County Parks Director Jim Dunwiddie is pleased of the arrangement to open a park to the public throughout the season. Efforts to secure volunteers to help the County open the parks additional days did not come to fruition. Dunwiddie noted that the County faced a similar situation at Wildcat Lake Park, but was fortunate to have individuals and the Kitsap TriBabes volunteer time and raise donations to keep the Silverdale park open.

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 with a safe and enjoyable experience.

Horseshoe Lake Park will be open daylight hours beginning May 18. The park offers access to the lake, swimming area, walking trails, picnic areas, playground, open playfield, and restrooms.

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