SEQUIM — The public will have a chance to learn about the draft interim trail plan for the Miller Peninsula State Park property at an open house from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today.
State Parks and Recreation Commission staff will present the draft plan at the Guy Cole Conference Center, 202 N. Blake Ave. in Sequim
Attendees “will have an opportunity to see what we are proposing in terms of trail classes, to meet the trail advisory committee that has worked on this and to learn about opportunities to volunteer to help implement the trail plan,” said Julie McQuary, Washington State Parks southwest region park planner.
The Miller Peninsula State Park property includes more than 2,800 acres in Clallam County. It is north of U.S. Highway 101 and east of Sequim.
The property is primarily upland forest with more than 3 miles of shoreline on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Discovery Bay.
The interim trail plan establishes trail management objectives for existing and proposed park trails; identifies needed trail maintenance, signage and other related improvements; and recommends working with volunteer groups to assist in trail maintenance and improvement projects.
In developing the interim plan, State Parks staff worked with a trail advisory group, which included property neighbors and representatives from hiking, biking and equestrian use groups.
“This effort is important so that we can have an outstanding trail system created from the roads and trails that were inherited when state parks acquired the property,” McQuary said.
“We are developing trail designations and classifications to provide guidance to the volunteer groups who help maintain the trails.”
There are four types of trails to be maintained: service roads for emergency service, double tracks where two people can walk abreast, single tracks and primitive trails.
“They all have different maintenance and construction standards,” McQuary said.
The planning effort is a follow up to the Miller Peninsula State Park Property Initial Trail Identification and Designation approved by State Parks Director Don Hoch, on Dec. 8, 2014.
In 2005, an extensive public planning process was undertaken to help develop a vision for future development of this new park property.
These efforts were placed on hold due to the economic downturn.
State Parks is now focused on interim management of the property.
A public meeting was held in Sequim in November 2012 to update the public on the status of the Miller Peninsula State Park property and to discuss a new trailhead parking lot and future trail planning and management.
A trailhead parking lot and restroom are currently under construction on the southern boundary of the property.
The project is to be completed in summer 2015, and will include 10 vehicle parking stalls and six trailer stalls for horse trailers and recreational vehicles.
A kiosk and interpretive signs will help orient new park visitors.
Funding is provided by a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grant administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office.
For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/PDN-miller pentrails or phone Julie McQuary at 360-725-9756 or Steve Gilstrom at 360-683-4235.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
