Minutes – San Juan Island Trails Committee – June 20, 2012
The meeting was called to order by the chair, Bill Severson. Those present were Erin Corra, David Dehlendorf, Louise Dustrude, David Harsh, Jill Johnson, Mike Lazzari, Tracy Roberson, Howie Rosenfeld, Pierrette Rouse, Bill Severson, Theresa Simendinger, and Dave Zeretzke.
Volunteer hours reported:
This meeting 53
Steering committee meeting 12
Roche Harbor trail maintenance 30
Reported for this month 53
Total 113
Coming events:
San Juan Island National Historical Park is hosting a public open house on a proposed Prairie Stewardship Plan Environmental Impact Statement on Wednesdsay, June 27, at the Mullis Senior Center from 6 to 8 pm. Theresa Simendinger encouraged members to attend to support expansion of horse-riding opportunities. and it was agreed we need to use these opportunities to support all trails.
Lime Kiln Point State Park:
Erin Corra spoke asking our support of Friends of Line Kiln Society (FOLKS), a 501-c-3 organization she formed with Ralph Munro to support our state park. The park now has just one full-time employee, ranger Ted Schlund, and one summer employee, so it is increasingly dependent on volunteer help to stay open. The greatest need, she said, is for volunteers to staff the Visitor Center from 11 to 4 daily.
State parks are now supported solely by purchases of the Discover Pass (annual parking permit for $30, or daily for $10) and those purchases have not been as robust as the legislature hoped, so all state parks are hurting. Local support (both volunteer work and financial contributions) will help to keep parks open.
The ranger and his assistant are responsible not only for Lime Kiln, but also for island parks on Jones, Stuart, Blind, Posey, and Turn Islands.
The group made various suggestions, suggesting especially that if some state parks are closed those with active local support groups will be more likely to be kept open. Erin’s group can be reached at www.folkssji.org or her phone number 378-5154 or the park itself at 378-2044.
Pierrette Rouse asked for the group’s help in maintaining the Minnie Mae Trail near the golf course. Dave Zeretzke will meet with Pierrette early next week to walk the trail and decide what needs to be done, with the possibility of setting up a work party soon.
Respectfully submitted, Louise Dustrude, Acting Secretary