Newberry Hill Heritage Park Update
Of the three areas or units at Newberry Hill Heritage Park
that were scheduled for ecological thinning, the trails in Unit 1, just west of
the Klahowya Secondary School entrance, will be closed to the public starting
on Thursday, May 28th. Tree felling and road maintenance
will begin on Friday, May 29th. These trail closures
impact the following trails: Big Cedar, Bob Cat Run, Fly Eagle and Deer
Trail. Signs will be posted at the trails and in some cases barricades
will be placed to discourage entry as public safety is a top priority.
These trails will remain closed until mid-August.
For Unit 2 off Deer Fern trail, the timber felling will be
completed by Thursday, May 28th but logs trucks will still be
loading out and hauling on Old Loop Rd through the first week of June. Park
patrons will be able to resume the use of Deer Fern the week of June 8th.
KSS and Fire Trails (west of the cyclone fence/gate) will remain open
providing access to the entire southern and eastern portions of the park.
Starting June 8, no logging trucks will be traveling on Old loop Parkway or
entering though the Seabeck/Holly gate.
Unit 3 off Rhodie Hill trail is completed and the trail is
now open for public access.
Hansville Greenway Trail Closure - May 20 - June 26
Due to active logging operations, two sections of trail in the southern
section of the Hansville Greenway trail system will be closed to park users.
The two sections of trail are located between trail markers 14 and 18 and the
Hood Canal Drive trailhead and marker 16. All other trails continue to be open
for the public to enjoy.
Parks Staff to Conduct Test Spraying
On Saturday, May 9, 2020, Kitsap County Parks staff will begin conducting test spraying of vinegar, dish soap and salt- based products at Anderson Hill Athletic Fields, Veterans Memorial Park, and the athletic fields at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in effort to control vegetation. Spraying of the environmentally based products (no chemicals or pesticides) will be conducted along fence lines of the athletic fields, backstops, and rocks around the athletic fields. Please contact the parks office for more information.
Volunteer Program Update
Taking into account the extension of Governor Jay Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" orders, all work parties and stewardship meetings will remain cancelled. The Kitsap County Parks Department is working to develop protocols that will allow the reopening of its volunteer program including social distancing plans, sanitation of tools, pre-registration for work parties, and limiting participation of work parties to five or less once the "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" orders are lifted. Updates on the volunteer program will be posted here. Click here for more information on volunteer opportunities.
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.
Update on the Kitsap Fair and Stampede
The Kitsap Fair and Stampede Association recently formed to take over the responsibility of producing the annual Kitsap Fair and Rodeo. This newly- formed, non-profit organization is governed by nine (9) Board members, each bringing diverse experiences in business, public service, and public involvement. The Board has recently hired two individuals to produce the fair scheduled August 26-30. For information, use the new website kitsapfair.net., email kitsapfair2019@outlook.com, or call 360-337-5386.
-
-
North Kitsap Heritage Park Draft Stewardship Plan & Public Comments
The North Kitsap Heritage Park Stewards presented a
Draft Resource Stewardship Plan to County Parks Advisory Board in 2019. In response to 200+ public comments, a revised Plan is being reviewed with regards to the issues, concerns and perspectives received. A Final Draft Plan will be reviewed by the Stewards and Parks Advisory Board. Click here to view November 2019 Public Comments.
