KINGSTON — Residents who attended Tuesday night’s meeting about the proposed Miller Bay Trail took different forks in the road in terms of their reactions to the plan. And while some were content to walk the path laid out ahead of them, others were prepared to bushwhack their own way by voicing ardent concerns.

Representatives from KPFF Consulting Engineers fielded questions and concerns from both sides of the public at the meeting at North Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters, striding through a myriad of complaints and compliments.

Many concerns centered around the cost, safety and timeline of the trail. There were also questions about the length of the trail as well as its positioning.

“We’re getting a lot of comments surfacing about the placement,” said KPFF Principal Ron Leimkuhler. “Many people here have made a preference about which side of the roadway they’d like the trail on, either east or west. There’s also the option of putting the trail on the backside of property along Miller Bay.”

Once finished, the path will connect to the Mosquito Fleet Trail that is planned to run the length of the county, reflecting the old Mosquito Fleet route, said KPFF Planner Terry Reckord.

The Mosquito Fleet was a group of small boats that ferried residents along the extensive waterways of Kitsap Peninsula and the Puget Sound during the late-19th and early-20th centuries.

“The Mosquito Fleet Master Plan runs from Kingston to Southworth,” Reckford said, adding that the county hopes to create a trails system to connect all the communities along the route. The Miller Bay Trail would link State Route 104 and Indianola.

“I think it’s a waste of money,” said Kingston resident Jerry Darnall. “They need to fix the shoulders and widen Miller Bay (Road) before they think about a trail.”

Kitsap County transportation planner Greg Cioc quelled this concern, noting that such roadway improvements would be made before the trail is created. A traffic light is planned for the intersection of Miller Bay and West Kingston Road in 2008, and trail construction is expected to begin in 2009, Cioc said.

While some residents thought the trail was heading down the road too quickly others argued that it got a flat tire and had been on the shoulder for years.

“This trail is taking too long. They had meetings for this many years ago, and we have not see enough progress since then,” said Kingston resident Patti Carman, who added that she is preparing to move to Clallam County because of its superior trail system. Kitsap County is lacking in this area, she said, and changing too slowly to satisfy her desire for outdoor activities.

“My lifestyle has gone down since I’ve lived here,” Carman said, noting that she has to leave Kitsap altogether to find safe places to bike and hike.

Not all everyone in attendance at the meeting was disappointed with the plan, though. Many said they were looking forward to hashing out the details with the consultants.

“I think it’s a really great idea,” said Kingston resident Walt Elliot. “I think there needs to be coordination between White Horse and Arborwood and this trail, so it connects our area together.”

“We did get a lot of feedback, and that’s good,” Cioc said, adding that now the county and KPFF can plan their next steps in the process and incorporate the public’s concerns. “We’ll still pursue the study.”

“I think it’s a great idea,” Darnall said. “It’s just 100 years too soon. We have to clean up the roads first.”