Sound to Olympics is a community group working to build two, ten-foot wide, paved trails from the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal to the Hood Canal bridge, and from the Kingston ferry terminal to the Hood Canal bridge. Lynn Schorn and her colleagues spoke to Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their Noon meeting, Dec 14.
Along with Doug Maraist and Don Willott, Schorn told of the "visioning" of such a project way back in 2006. STO is just one piece of a 3,700 mile Great American Rail-Trail between Washington D.C. and the north coast of the Olympic peninsula in Washington State. Several local organizations are involved in supporting the Kitsap piece of the nationwide trail, including the cities of Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo, Kitsap County, the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes, Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce, Port Gamble, Forterra, Rayonier, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Peninsula Trails Coalition, and Great Peninsula Conservancy.
STO was created in Kitsap County in 2011, as a separated (from motorized traffic), shared-use, paved path for recreation and "active transportation" options. It will be used for bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, etc.
Portions of the Bainbridge piece are completed, including along the east side of Hiway 305, just up the hill from the ferry dock, and on the west side of 305, north of High School Road. Engineering options and studies are underway on the Kingston to Hood Canal piece.
During the "business" portion of the meeting, Rotarians were reminded about the Club's Holiday Party, Wed, Dec 21 at D'Vine Wines, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Members are asked to bring a "white elephant" gift for the exchange. Last minute reservations may be possible. Contact Jackie Baker.