Caring for Kingston’s open spaces

By Sophie Bonomi Kitsap News Group • January 27, 2017 1:30 am
Members of the Kingston High School Interact Club worked with committee member Mark Base on the Nike Park trail in spring 2016. (Carolina Veenstra / Contributed)
Members of the Kingston High School Interact Club worked with committee member Mark Base on the Nike Park trail in spring 2016. (Carolina Veenstra / Contributed)

KINGSTON — Many of the parks and trails in Kingston have come into the public domain only in the last 20 years.

Members of the Kingston Parks, Trails and Open Space Committee are working to ensure the parks and trails in their shared “backyard” are maintained for future generations.

“Kingston-area volunteers have a great time caring for the wonderful parks and trails that make this area unique,” committee member Carolina Veenstra said.

Public spaces being cared for by the committee include Public Utility District trails created in 1992 in collaboration with the Kitsap Land Trust (now Great Peninsula Conservancy); Quiet Place Park, donated to Kitsap County in 1993 by Naomi Libby Elvins; Carpenter Lake Preserve, purchased by Kitsap County in 1994; the Eglon trail easement owned by Department of Natural Resources; North Kitsap Heritage Park, purchased by Kitsap County in 2005 and opened in 2010; White Horse Trail, constructed 2006-07; and Village Green Park, created by volunteers in 2009.

“These parks and trails have become valued public spaces, in large part, because of the proactive efforts of the Kingston Parks, Trails and Open Space Committee,” Veenstra said.

The committee, known locally by the abbreviation KPTOS, has been a subcommittee of the Kingston Citizens Advisory Council for more than 25 years.

The group of volunteers generally meets on first Mondays of every month at the Village Green Community Center to discuss and advance outdoor resources in the community.

KPTOS reaches out to the community through its annual open house, but invites residents to its meetings to discuss issues related to common outdoor spaces. KPTOS hosts public work parties on local trails and parks through the year.

“Trail work volunteers enjoy being outdoors and meeting others while caring for our parks and trails,” Veenstra said. “[It’s about] keeping them in good condition for others to use.”

The next monthly KPTOS meeting is at 7 p.m., Feb. 6 at the Village Green Community Center. The next trail work party is at 10 a.m. Feb. 25 at the Carpenter Lake trail and boardwalk (meet at the north end of Gordon Elementary School parking lot).

“Our small, dedicated group of volunteers is aging and seeks to broaden our reach by bringing in new people of all ages,” Veenstra said. “If you love being outdoors and value our community parks and trails, come check us out.”