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Water Trails Info Sheet (Jan 2015)

Vision: A network of launch and landing sites, or “trail heads,” that allow people in human-powered and other watercraft to enjoy the historic, scenic and  environmental richness of through continuous, multiple-day and single-day trips. The trail will promote safe and responsible use, while protecting and increasing appreciation of its environmental and cultural resources through education, eco-recreation and eco-tourism.

Geographical Scope: Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails stretch along 371 miles of spectacular shoreline from Foul Weather Bluff on the north, to Bainbridge Island on the east, to the Bridge on the south, and to the waters of on the west. The trails travel around the shorelines of three large land masses: Kitsap Peninsula, and Bainbridge Island and are located primarily in Kitsap County, and partly in Mason and Pierce Counties.

Currently, 13 separate trails, designed as a continuous, seamless regional trail experience, make up the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails. Each trail can be experienced as a day trip. The vision for the trails includes adding existing access sites in southern Kitsap Peninsula, Hood Canal, and in Mason and Pierce Counties.

Cascadia Marine Trail Connection Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails overlap a discreet section of the Cascadia Marine Trail, a water route established in 1993 by the non-profit organization Water Trails Association and WA State Parks and Recreation Commission, in partnership with port districts and city, county, and regional parks. The Cascadia Marine Trail What is a Water Trail? stretches from to the Canadian border—a 90-mile distance that includes almost Water Trails are routes suitable for human-powered boats 2,000 miles of shoreline. The trail includes like canoes, rafts, paddleboards and kayaks, as well as for trailheads for accessing the water and campsites recreational motorized watercraft. Like pedestrian, bicycle, for overnight use by people using human-powered and equestrian trails, water trails connect destinations. water craft. Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails and Washington Water Trails Association are working Water trail amenities include access sites, boat launches, together to synchronize information on access day-use areas, fishing accesses, and camping areas. Water sites, establish trail standards and promote trails can also serve as educational venues that create stewardship along the trails. interactive educational experiences regarding the geology, pre-history, history, ecology and commerce of an area. Trail Users The water trail is designed to enhance the Water trails vary from short routes along shorelines to infrastructure and support of boaters in human- loops around lakes and lagoons. They may stretch powered and beach able craft, such as kayaks, hundreds of river miles through several states or they may canoes, rowing shells, paddleboards, native follow the coastline and connect with maritime ports or canoes, sailboats, dragon boats, rowboats, remote islands. windsurfers, and kite boards. However, all boaters, including those in motor boats, will benefit from Regardless of their length or configuration, water trails are the water trails’ promotion of the region’s valuable assets to cities and counties, providing educational, cultural and recreational resources recreational and educational opportunities for both and the call for stewardship and sustainability. citizens and visitors. Water trails also help people discover new perspectives about their waterways and their Current Project Leadership: Kitsap County, Visit communities, raise awareness of watershed stewardship Kitsap Peninsula, Olympic Outdoor Center and serve as economic engines through tourism and its associated hospitality industry.

National Water Trails System Through the efforts of dedicated volunteers, Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails recently became part of the National Water Trails System--one of only 18 exemplary, nationally designated water trails. This is a very important boost to local water trail efforts which, with planning and management, can have significant economic and tourism benefits for Kitsap Peninsula. For more information on National Water Trails please visit www.nps.gov/watertrails.

Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails Action Plan In 2013, Kitsap County successfully applied for a planning assistance grant from the National Park Service (NPS) to help strengthen and build the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails Alliance, and to guide development of a management plan for the trails. The grant provides time and travel from a project-dedicated NPS community planner from October 2013 through September 2015. Previous NPS awards have included assistance for planning North Kitsap Trails, Poulsbo Urban Pathways, Port Gamble S’ Tribal Trail, Mason County Regional Trails.

Planning Assistance New Members to be Invited National Park Service Rivers, Pierce County & communities Trails and Conservation Mason County & communities The Benefits of Water Trails Additional port districts Assistance Program Other Regional Tribes . Help people discover a new perspective Steering Committee Conservation Groups of their waterways and communities --Kitsap County School Districts . Build and strengthen partnerships with --Visit Kitsap Peninsula Foundations Chambers of Commerce neighboring water and shoreline managers --Olympic Outdoor Center --Washington Water Trails And YOU . Pool resources to manage recreation Assoc. sites and nearby resources

. Combine outreach efforts and provide Past and Current Supporters interpretive information

Supporters . Boost local economies Bainbridge Island Park . Win grants that target partnership & Recreation District efforts (local and regional) City of Bainbridge City of Bremerton . Create a quality experience on the water City of Poulsbo for boaters

North Kitsap Trails Assoc. . Improve stewardship of natural and Port Resources cultural resources along waterways Port of Allyn Port of Bremerton . Highlight safety on the water Port of Brownsville . Provide better access and more facilities Port of Indianola for non-motorized boaters Port of Kingston Port of Poulsbo . Tell more cultural and historical stories Port of Silverdale . Get kids interested in their “back yards” Bay Street Assoc. Tribe Washington State Parks