HANSVILLE — In the last 16 years the Hansville Greenways Association has cut quite a trail for itself, which meanders through about 175 acres of wilderness and North End forests. In the beginning, it was a mere 92 acres with a few hand-cut paths, and now it has flourished into an extensive trail system available to the entire community.

The association’s members are looking to gain more ground, literally, extending the Greenways south. This plan, and others, will be discussed at their annual meeting Tuesday night.

“If the county is able to purchase that acreage to connect to the south end of the Greenway and Hood Canal, it would be great,” said HGA vice president Fred Nelson. “We’re looking for that next year. If it happens, we’ll strap on our trailmaking boots again and get back out there.”

All of the trails are primarily created by association members, said HGA treasurer Sid Knutson, starting with the earliest paths they cut in 1996, after the land had been purchased and the trail plan had been mapped out.

“We enjoy doing it,” Knutson said. “We never had any trouble with getting work parties together. People around here are always happy to come out and help.”

With the community’s help, both labor-wise and financially, the Greenway is not only full of trails but also viewing platforms, boardwalks and a wheelchair accessible trail. Next year promises more of the same for the group, which is always looking to expand the outdoor attraction, and its board as well.

“I’ve had a few people interested in the open officer spots,” said HGA president Ken Shawcroft. Many of the same board members have been running the association for years, including Knutson who has been a part of the Greenways vision since its inception in 1990.

“I’ll be doing this as long as I can,” Knutson said. “This is my one joy in life besides my family. It’s my hobby, I’ll continue doing it for as long as I can.”

Shawcroft and Nelson said they will continue working on the HGA for another year or two before passing the trailblazing boots on, but they both added they’ll continue to be involved as community members in the group as much as possible.

“We have a lot of people from the community who volunteer for the Greenways,” Shawcroft said. “This meeting is a way for them and everyone else to see what we’ve been up to lately and what projects we’ve got coming up.”

Other items that will be discussed at the meeting will be a recap of what was accomplished in 2006, 2007 projects including Hawk’s Hole area expansion; a kiosk at the Norwegian Point park, which is opening April 2007; trail planning; fund-raising plans and coordination with the Native Plant Garden group.