The San Juan County Land Bank has received two trail easement donations along Cattle Point Road. Louisa Nishitani and Alice Hurd donated the easements in the hope that they will eventually be part of a walking trail extending from Friday Harbor to American Camp. Together, they span more than 1,000 feet.
“These donations are the first trail easements accepted by the Land Bank,” stated Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director. “We are extremely grateful to both property owners for their foresight and generosity.” A trail has already been created on the two properties, but as yet they are not contiguous to adjacent properties with easements. “It is a great start and we are confident that with the continuing work of the San Juan Island Trails Committee, more will follow,” Bormann said.
To date, 15,951 feet or 3.32 miles of trail has been completed along the Cattle Point Road corridor. This includes the previously opened 8,580 feet on the Port of Friday Harbor airport property. It also includes 3,225 feet on the Land Bank’s Frazer Homestead Preserve and a contiguous 3,328 feet in American Camp. This latter section of the trail should be open by next spring. San Juan County Public Works is also preparing a 1,380-foot section of trail along the Golf Course Road easement.
“We are so excited about the way this project is going right now,” said Cinda Pierce, Chair of the San Juan Island Trails Committee. “We’re really hopeful that this will build a momentum to get some segments completed and eventually make it the whole way from Town to the National Park.
About the Land Bank
The Land Bank Program was approved by San Juan County voters in 1990. In 1999, the program was renewed for 12 more years by a nearly 73 percent vote of support. The program is funded by a one percent real estate transfer tax. Paid by those who purchase property in the County, this tax expressly funds preservation of the natural heritage of the San Juan Islands. Through conservation easements or outright purchases, the Land Bank protects special properties in the County. These include marine shoreline, woodlands, farmland, wetlands, and historic homesteads. The Land Bank has protected over 4,800 acres of important conservation lands throughout the San Juan Islands.
The Land Bank may be contacted by email at sjclandbank@rockisland.com or at 360-378-4402.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
