Heritage Park, not Regional Park
One of the many comments about the PROS Plan delivered to the Planning Commission Hearing on the PROS Plan: 5.20.25
The current PROS Plan draft does not build on the goals and strategies for Heritage Parks found in the 2018 PROS Plan. Instead the current draft turns the Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park into a regional park (Table 2-13: Existing Parks & Open Spaces, p. 37) which reduces and eliminates many of the protections, conservation and rural attributes so many Kitsap residents highly value as reported in the The Kitsap County Rural and Resource Lands Community Survey . I ask that the Planning Commission insist the PROS Plan maintain Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park as a Heritage Park. It’s also time to prioritize trails within the Port Gamble Forest as pedestrian-only trails in the capital improvement plan for conservation and safety purposes.
The northwest area of the Port Gamble Forest is becoming highly developed with the mountain bike ride park, parking lot, along with fundraising efforts to build a second beginner jump trail, which further challenges the goal to conserve and protect natural areas. Funding, from sources like the “Forest and Bay Initiative,” was secured to purchase land for conservation, and not make the park into a high-impact, active recreation center. Currently, Tessa’s trail is the lone pedestrian-only trail in the forest. (See p.34 new park Classification) A regional park classification definition does not protect or conserve natural areas within a park.
The future PROS Plan must provide specific goals, strategies and capital improvement plans that conserve and protect forest habitat and wildlife in our nature-based Heritage Parks. These goals should closely align and support the 2024 Comprehensive Plan PROS Element, especially “Goal 5: Environmental Compatibility”. Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park’s status must remain as a Heritage Park and not change to a regional park. Residents and visitors to our Heritage Parks need equitable access to passive, low-impact recreation trails to support a sustainable future for the forest and for the health of those who are unable to participate in active recreation.
Robin
North Kitsap County Resident
Send your own comment by email to the Planning Commission by May 27, 5 pm.
