Timber harvesting underway at Kitsap County's Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
Timber harvesting is underway in Kitsap County's Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park and will continue through June 2022, depending on weather conditions and operational constraints. Rayonier will conduct the harvesting and related activities inside park boundaries. Kitsap County Parks is aware of the impact timber harvest activity has on recreational activities and will provide updates as they become available. Signage is posted at trail and road entrances along the haul route. Trails within or near timber harvesting activity are closed and off-limits to the public to ensure the safe operation of the equipment and for the safety of park and trail users.
The designated haul route will be to the South on the G-1000 (Click here for map) through the "sand pit" gate to Port Gamble Rd NE. This is the opposite direction from our current operation and will further reduce public interaction at the designated parking lot on the North end of the park. The parking lot and trailhead will remain open to the public, but caution is required when hauling trucks are using roadways. Please do not park in front of or block the access gate.
Please avoid all timber harvest operations – thank you for your cooperation!
Rayonier maintains timber harvesting rights for portions of the heritage park through 2042, which was integral to the county purchasing the property.
Click here for a location map of the planned timber harvest.
Island Lake Park Fishing Pier
The fishing pier located at Island Lake Park is currently closed due to damage received in the summer of 2021. The parks department will be assessing the damage for future repair. Please refer to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for a list of alternate fishing locations and regulations.
Master Plan Recommendations for Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
On behalf of the Kitsap County Parks Department, the Steering Committee, the Master Plan consultant team, we extend our deep appreciation to our community for bringing their expertise and experience around the table to engage in fruitful, constructive, and open exchanges throughout the process of the Port Gamble Heritage Forest Park Master Plan dialogue.
We recognize the commitment hundreds of our community members have made by attending sessions, sending suggestions through the online feedback form, and discussing the plan with your friends and families. We appreciate the hours you invested, and we honor your contributions as an important part of the strategic planning process.
While the comment box on the project webpage has closed, the draft plan is still being modified based on your feedback. You can review the draft master plan at http://portgambleforestpark.com/ and send any comments you'd like to voice to the Parks Department at parks@kitsap.gov.
The final community meeting to review master plan recommendations for Kitsap County's Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park, was held virtually from 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, March 7 (click here to view the meeting). Please visit http://portgambleforestpark.com for further information.
Click here to review the draft master plan.
Silverdale Waterfront Park - Bayshore, Washington & Byron Improvement Project
Click here for more information on the Bayshore, Washington & Byron Improvement Project.
Trail Closure at South Kitsap Regional Park
A section of a back trail at South Kitsap Regional Park is temporarily closed until construction can be completed to ensure public safety. Please respect trail barriers and signs.
Trail Closure at Guillemot Cove
The beach access trail is closed until required permitting and construction of an additional section of the boardwalk is completed. Please respect trail barriers and signs.
Conservation Futures Grant Update
Early this year, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners announced that the County would consider applications for land and/or conservation futures acquisition during the year through a competitive process and will distribute up to $300,000 of conservation futures tax revenue to eligible projects and organizations. Those entities include Cities, Metropolitan Park Districts, Metropolitan Municipal Corporations, Nonprofit Historic Preservation Corporations, and Nonprofit Nature Conservancy Corporations or Associations. Click here to view more information on the Conservation Futures Grant.
Conservation Futures Grant Update
Early this year, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners announced that the County would consider applications for land and/or conservation futures acquisition during the year through a competitive process and will distribute up to $300,000 of conservation futures tax revenue to eligible projects and organizations. Those entities include Cities, Metropolitan Park Districts, Metropolitan Municipal Corporations, Nonprofit Historic Preservation Corporations, and Nonprofit Nature Conservancy Corporations or Associations. Click here to view more information on the Conservation Futures Grant.
