San Juan Island Trails Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2013
Present: Doug McCutcheon, Sally Thomsen, Louise Dustrude, Bill Severson, Theresa Simendinger, Kyle Loring, Dave Zeretzke, Doug Strandberg, Phil Schober, Alice Hurd, Kathleen Foley, David Harsh
Volunteer hours since previous meeting: 7 (0 hours reported by Sue Buettell for Roche Harbor Trails)
Discussion:
• The meeting commenced with members sharing recent trails tales.
• Upcoming Trails work — Kathleen Foley of the Preservation Trust delivered a presentation seeking Trails Committee collaboration on two trails: (1) trail work on Graham Preserve, a 99-acre parcel on Shaw Island between Blind Bay and South Beach, along the west side of Squaw Bay Rd.; and (2) trail work to complete a trail on Turtle Neck, Orcas Island, once the Washington Trails Association has roughed in the trail.
• Potluck – Alice Hurd is helping to coordinate the potluck, where Kathleen Foley and Bill Severson will speak about their respective trips to Patagonia and the Cady Trail. The event will occur March 20th. Bring Your Own place setting, beverage, food to share.
• Know Your Island Walk – On January 26th, from 1-2:30 p.m., Sally Thomsen will lead the walk at the Lafarge Gravel Pit.
• Bike Tune-up Event – the group discussed whether the bicycle subcommittee plans to host the annual spring tune-up event. Suggestions included holding it on April 20th to coordinate with Earth Day, to add a ride, and to advertise the helmet giveaway more vigorously. Bill and Kyle are to contact the members of the bike group.
• Trails Groups from Other Islands – Bill will contact Lopez and Orcas trails groups to encourage them to join in regular, possibly quarterly, meetings with the Public Works Department. Bill recommends that the Trails Committee focus efforts on improving opportunities for non-motorized transportation with Public Works. Other suggestions included:
o a San Juan Island bike ride to discuss common ground for cycling;
o bringing the groups together to work on the Graham Preserve trail on Shaw;
o working with the other groups on the upcoming Transportation Element update;
o a technical walk and talk on one of our trails;
o contacting Nick Teague on Lopez to discuss trails matters.
Bill agreed to contact trails groups from other islands to check their availability for a coffee date with Bill and Dave.
• American Camp Trail – new sections are being flagged. David Harsh identified the need for restroom facilities and Louise Dustrude reminded the group that Golf Course Road has been identified as a potential location for a porta-potty.
• Hospital Trail – this project is moving forward with a trail that will extend along the southern end of the property. Steve Ulvi is leading it and may coordinate a work party.
• Suggestions – Doug McCutcheon mentioned that the steps at Deadman Cove are in need of repair and that he will be soliciting support for that work in the future. Doug also mentioned that the Land Bank is working on a management plan for False Bay Creek Preserve and that he will share that plan in the future.
Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle Loring
Secretary