Trail Closure at Newberry Hill Heritage Park
The Flying Eagle Trail will be closed Thursday, April 8, through Friday, April 9, for rock removal. If you have any questions, please contact the Kitsap County Parks Department at 360-337-5350 or parks@co.kitsap.wa.us. Click here to view a map of the trail closure.
Kitsap County Parks Event Recovery Plan
The Kitsap County Parks Department is excited to announce its plans to reopen its facilities and venues for event rentals. To assist organizations and community members make reasonable decisions, the Kitsap County Parks Department has created the Kitsap County Parks Department – Event Recovery Guide. As our top priority, Kitsap County Parks is taking precautions to ensure the health and safety of park guests, visitors, team members, and the community. Click here to learn more about facility rentals or contact us at parksevents@co.kitsap.wa.us or 360-337-5350.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation; we look forward to welcoming you back to one of our venues or facilities very soon!
Trail Closure at Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
Starting March 22nd, Evergreen Mountain Bike Association (EMBA) – West Sound Chapter will be removing unsanctioned trails and constructing three sustainable, directional trails within the Ranger Corridor. For public safety, this trail corridor will be closed for the duration of the construction activity and signage will be posted to alert trail users. The tentative timeline for reopening is early May.
This trail improvement activity is part of a larger, collaborative project between EMBA, Kitsap County Parks, and Washington Trails Association (WTA). The goal of this project is to address public safety concerns, while being mindful of the need for multi-use access. WTA is in the process of adding a western extension off of the EWOK trail, as part of the Ranger Corridor plan, which will be open to pedestrian and equestrian use. Mountain bike use on this trail extension off of EWOK will be limited to uphill travel only.
Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Master Planning - Introductory Public Meeting Notice
Help create a shared vision for the future of Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park!
Kitsap County Parks invites the public to a virtual community meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 16 to learn more about the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park Master Plan Project and work together to determine a shared vision for the future of the park. This is the first in a series of interactive meetings to explore potential recreational opportunities and provide feedback. Register to attend at http://portgambleforestpark.com or contact Kitsap County Parks at parks@co.kitsap.wa.us or 360-337-5350.
Click here to register for the meeting and to learn more about the project.
Read the related press release here.
Timber Harvest Update: Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park
Kitsap County Parks received formal notice that active timber harvest operations will begin immediately at Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. Depending on weather conditions and operational constraints, the timber harvest project should conclude by June 2021.
Read the related Feb. 26, 2021 press release here for trail closures and other important information.
Kitsap County Parks is aware of the impact that the timber harvest activity will have on recreational activities and will provide updates as they become available. Signage will be posted before the start of any timber harvest activity at impacted roads and trails. Please keep yourself safe and respect the timber harvest operations.
Click here for a location map of the planned timber harvest.
Ecological Forest Management Update: Square Lake Park
The process called "restoration thinning" involves the removal of small to medium-sized Douglas Fir trees to reduce disease, fire risk, and allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor with the overall goal of promoting a healthy diverse forest.
Kitsap County Parks is anticipating receiving the permit from the Washington Department of Natural Resources - Forest Practices in mid-February for restoration thinning at Square Lake. Thinning at Square Lake is expected to start in March 2021. Click here for more information and a map of thinning locations at Square Lake Park.
Silverdale Waterfront Park - Parking Lot Closure and Restroom Closure
The parking lot and restroom facilities at Silverdale Waterfront Park will be closed for the near future due to the 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
Beach access trail is closed until required permitting and construction of an additional section of 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.
