Proposed park a ‘jewel’ for NK

Published 3:00 pm Saturday, January 17, 2004

KINGSTON — “Magical” is how Dennis Oost described the green space that could become an historic part of the North End’s active outdoors community.

With steep slopes, ridges, springs, wetlands and existing logging roads on site, the Kitsap County Facilities, Parks and Recreation planner said the site offers great potential for a diverse North Kitsap Heritage Park.

Oost hosted the second workshop on the development of the 300-acre regional park Jan. 13. Nearly two dozen residents showed up to hear the latest on what could be the extensive recreational facilities that North Kitsap currently lacks.

The county is negotiating with Olympic Property Group to purchase as much green space as it can from a 1,100-acre timber site bordered by Miller Bay, Indianola and South Kingston roads. The property is part of OPG’s proposed Arborwood development. Kitsap County is looking to purchase the western two-thirds of the parcel, which consists of about 300 acres.

The county has $2 million to purchase the green space and while it is unclear yet how much land the county can purchase, Oost is planning for the site’s full potential.

Park development is expected get underway this fall with a ballfield and entrance road from Miller Bay Road but “you have to look globally first,” Oost said. He has explored the site since a December 2003 workshop and mapped out the existing slopes, ridges and logging trails to help establish the framework for development. During the process, Oost said he found existing aspects of the land that need to be considered during the design process, including slopes, water resources, drainage, access points and possible trail links.

“This is going to be very cool to hang on to for the North End,” Oost said, noting he also located abundant water resources in the middle of the 300 acres, with a water recharge area that includes wetlands, “hydric” soils, springs and drainages.

However, just to the west of this hydrated area are very sandy and dry lands, which Oost sees as a perfect place for active-use areas, such as ballfields.

Oost also pointed out two possible access points that could be created by developing the existing entrance from Miller Bay Road and making a second entrance at the southeast corner of the property, off South Kingston Road.

Oost said the road wouldn’t be just a street through the park, but part of the green space — with a wide median, bike lanes and pedestrian over- and underpasses that wouldn’t obstruct the views of the park.

Oost divided the property into sections and explained possible recreational uses based on the land’s features and resident’s comments at the December workshop.

In the sandy and dry soils near Miller Bay Road, about 80 acres could be set aside for an active-use sports area, such as soccer fields and baseball diamonds.

It’s good to develop a variety of fields as it will increase the county’s edge for attaining competitive park development grants, he said.

Further east, within the steep slopes and ridges, there is an 18-acre parcel that could be established as a cultural and arts area because of the “drastic and interesting” contours of the land, plus the views of Kingston and the Sound, he said. Oost called the water recharge area a “greensward,” where an outdoor education area could be established, with views of the springs, wetlands and ridges. He said he envisions long grasses, woodland-like areas, a perimeter trail and wildflower areas to be established there.

“It’s a little jewel out here,” he said.

He also noted the extensive possibilities for trails throughout the 300-acre property, plus an off-leash park for dogs.

“Do a series of open clears in there, just a place to let pooch run,” he said.

However, these break downs are just of parcel sizes, not actual development sizes, which are still yet to be determined, he said.

The next step is to focus on the initial development of the entrance road from Miller Bay and the first ballpark. Residents will have a chance to participate in that workshop at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters on Miller Bay Road.By TIFFANY ROYAL

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — “Magical” is how Dennis Oost described the green space that could become an historic part of the North End’s active outdoors community.

With steep slopes, ridges, springs, wetlands and existing logging roads on site, the Kitsap County Facilities, Parks and Recreation planner said the site offers great potential for a diverse North Kitsap Heritage Park.

Oost hosted the second workshop on the development of the 300-acre regional park Jan. 13. Nearly two dozen residents showed up to hear the latest on what could be the extensive recreational facilities that North Kitsap currently lacks.

The county is negotiating with Olympic Property Group to purchase as much green space as it can from a 1,100-acre timber site bordered by Miller Bay, Indianola and South Kingston roads. The property is part of OPG’s proposed Arborwood development. Kitsap County is looking to purchase the western two-thirds of the parcel, which consists of about 300 acres.

The county has $2 million to purchase the green space and while it is unclear yet how much land the county can purchase, Oost is planning for the site’s full potential.

Park development is expected get underway this fall with a ballfield and entrance road from Miller Bay Road but “you have to look globally first,” Oost said. He has explored the site since a December 2003 workshop and mapped out the existing slopes, ridges and logging trails to help establish the framework for development. During the process, Oost said he found existing aspects of the land that need to be considered during the design process, including slopes, water resources, drainage, access points and possible trail links.

“This is going to be very cool to hang on to for the North End,” Oost said, noting he also located abundant water resources in the middle of the 300 acres, with a water recharge area that includes wetlands, “hydric” soils, springs and drainages.

However, just to the west of this hydrated area are very sandy and dry lands, which Oost sees as a perfect place for active-use areas, such as ballfields.

Oost also pointed out two possible access points that could be created by developing the existing entrance from Miller Bay Road and making a second entrance at the southeast corner of the property, off South Kingston Road.

Oost said the road wouldn’t be just a street through the park, but part of the green space — with a wide median, bike lanes and pedestrian over- and underpasses that wouldn’t obstruct the views of the park.

Oost divided the property into sections and explained possible recreational uses based on the land’s features and resident’s comments at the December workshop.

In the sandy and dry soils near Miller Bay Road, about 80 acres could be set aside for an active-use sports area, such as soccer fields and baseball diamonds.

It’s good to develop a variety of fields as it will increase the county’s edge for attaining competitive park development grants, he said.

Further east, within the steep slopes and ridges, there is an 18-acre parcel that could be established as a cultural and arts area because of the “drastic and interesting” contours of the land, plus the views of Kingston and the Sound, he said. Oost called the water recharge area a “greensward,” where an outdoor education area could be established, with views of the springs, wetlands and ridges. He said he envisions long grasses, woodland-like areas, a perimeter trail and wildflower areas to be established there.

“It’s a little jewel out here,” he said.

He also noted the extensive possibilities for trails throughout the 300-acre property, plus an off-leash park for dogs.

“Do a series of open clears in there, just a place to let pooch run,” he said.

However, these break downs are just of parcel sizes, not actual development sizes, which are still yet to be determined, he said.

The next step is to focus on the initial development of the entrance road from Miller Bay and the first ballpark. Residents will have a chance to participate in that workshop at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters on Miller Bay Road.