Sid Knutson Puget Sound to Hood Canal Trail dedicated

Published 10:30 pm Thursday, August 28, 2008

After nearly two decades of envisioning a greenway and trail system across the northernmost tip of the Kitsap Peninsula from Hood Canal to Puget Sound, step by step and mile by mile, the dream of Sid Knutson came true and his community came out to celebrate with him and name the trail in his honor. But after a few short speeches, instead of cutting cake or ribbons, they headed out together to walk the route.

The Hansville Greenway Association and Kitsap County Parks and Recreation Department dedicated the Sid Knutson Puget Sound to Hood Canal Trail in a ceremony at Norwegian Point Park in Hansville Aug. 16. Community members, county parks department staff and state Rep. Christine Rolfes were on hand to celebrate Knutson’s vision and determination resulting in the protection of nearly 300 acres of natural areas and more than 10 miles of trail that make up the Hansville Greenway and Wildlife Corridor.

At 83, Knutson is still active in trail planning and construction and serves as the treasurer of the Hansville Greenway Association.

Rolfes said she remembered working with Knutson on the greenway plan in the early 1990s when she was in her mid-20s and working as Open Space Coordinator for the county, while he served on the Open Space Commission. When property around Buck Lake was available to purchase, Rolfes took a canoe out on the lake to take photos for grant applications.

Now, she said, she brings her young children to the lake to swim and enjoy the park. “He was professional, polite and extremely kind to me back then and (creating the Greenway) became one of the top priorities for commissioners.”

Dori Leckner, the senior parks maintenance supervisor who has worked closely with the community to develop its county parks, commended Knutson, “for your hopes and dreams and visions that you’ve made a reality. We hope we can duplicate this in other areas of Kitsap County.”

Knutson was presented with an inscribed wooden-handled, golden-headed pulaski by Ken Shawcroft on behalf of the Greenway Association and Hansville community.

Knutson acknowledged the many volunteers who helped work on the project, but especially the members of his Koffee Klatch, who he said built most of the picnic shelters and structures in the greenway.

Speaking to the dozens gathered in front of the old boathouse at Norwegian Point Park, before heading out to the trail, Knutson said, “This is a milestone, but it’s not the end. I hope this is an indication of how people will use it and enjoy it in the future.”

For more information on the Hansville Greenway, including maps, go to www.hansville.org.