A 10 • Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader
SPECIAL LEADER FOCUS
Common courtesy is a trail rule
North Beach County Park
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There are rules of the road, and there are rules of the trail. Here are common courtesies that people who walk, run or ride on public trails should know:
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This map shows how public trails, sidewalks and streets may be used to get around Port Townsend without the use of a motor vehicle. The City of Port Townsend’s Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Board has been steadily expanding public trail options. Map by Marian Roh\
Activity for all ages
Port Townsend’s ‘all terrain’ system is more than a bunch of trails Motorized Transportation Advisory Board (NMTAB) and has been s a newcomer to Port chairing it much of the time ever Townsend, I was since. Part of his dream was to crehappily surprised to ate an alternative system of travel learn that I could ride within the city – one that would my bicycle from home give us quiet, scenic ways to get to downtown almost all the way around town. without having to deal with much The trail development theme car traffic. Then I learned of a through these decades has been to place where I could park my car connect neighborhoods and destiand walk through miles of magical nations with a complete network of evergreen forest and open land! I pathways. am continually finding new paths, These pathways follow undeveleach beautiful in its own way. I oped City right-of-ways through all can walk to the top of ridges or sorts of terrain, while often providhills for majestic vistas, bike to ing shortcuts – even faster than by my favorite restaurant, or walk motor vehicle. on trails through natural areas. (I Walker’s idea emphasized funcsaw an otter catch and eat a fish tion, that is, designing walking/ the other day.) biking routes to popular destinaThe Port Townsend trail system tions. The network also provides started as a dream of Scott Walker, tremendous opportunities for local about 30 years ago. He also started exploration and enhancing one’s the City of Port Townsend’s Non- physical fitness. By Mike Kaill Special to the Leader
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GETTING AROUND
Being the new guy, I asked how someone could sort out all these trails that I saw on the map. I certainly fumbled a bit figuring out where things were located and how everything connected. We agreed that it was time for a new map that designates major passageways within the trail/route network. To minimize confusion and give the system clarity, many trails, walk/ bike paths and back roads are highlighted into fully connected corridors on this map.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
One of the big issues of trail system development is continuity. There are missing snippets of trails here and there. Many are caused by real estate and right-of-way transfer issues from the past. NMTAB monitors these gaps and, when possible, has the City re-obtain these
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or email us at: ratislandrowingandsculling@googlegroups.com
For more information visit: http://jcmgf.org/secret-garden or email: secretgarden@jcmgf.org or call: 360-437-7975
“Three Salmon in my yard” by Rita Hollingsworth
Course Schedule & Registration information: www.ratislandrowing.com
The accompanying Plant Sale will tempt you with fresh, robust plants to complement your 2015 garden!
See TRAILS, Page 13▼
BY AYN RAND
ou’re going to enjoy this wild courtroom drama based on a true story that involves a mysterious death and the crash of a vast business empire later discovered to be a gigantic fraud.
June 20th, 2015, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
CLASSES START IN MAY
In addition to local points of interest, trails can lead to discovery of local history. The “Valley Trail” generally follows the San Juan Valley. Before 1850, the entire north end of the Quimper Peninsula was known
NIGHT of JANUARY 16th
Secret Garden Tour & Plant Sale
Rowing & Sculling Courses
HISTORY, TOO
Ludlow Village Players
JEFFERSON COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS present the 2015
“Northwest Maritime Gardens” will showcase 6 unique and beautiful Port Townsend gardens.
snippets to improve connectivity. Another goal is to provide walking/biking routes that are separated from motorized vehicles. While maintaining trails, NMTAB also works on trails that lead to many destinations: open spaces, schools, parks, cultural resources, shorelines and employment and commercial centers. To do the most good for the most people, these trails, routes and corridors are establishing walking and biking ways near multi-family and high-density developments to encourage more “active transportation.”
Karen Andre, secretary and mistress to financier Bjorn Faulkner, is on trial for his murder. Or was it a suicide? Director Val Durling says, “This play reminds me of TV dramas such as Playhouse 90 or The 11th Hour. Lots of high drama, but also with a natural and humorous side.”
YOU decide GUILTY or NOT GUILTY because the play includes jury selection from the audience. To register for jury drawing, be at the Bay Club 1/2 hour before show time. Jury gets front-row seats. Thursday, Friday & Saturday March 26-28 at 7:00 pm, Sunday, March 29 at 2:00. Tickets $15 at the Port Ludlow Bay Club and at brownpapertickets.com.
Photo by Gary Settle
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Trail user conflicts have been minor in Port Townsend, according to members of the City of Port Townsend’s NonMotorized Transportation Advisory Board. “Most people know how to share trails, but occasionally someone does pass another without announcing their presence or slowing down,” said Lys Burden, board member. “Frequent trail users have stories about these encounters, and some downhill sections of trails encourage higher speeds. It is wise to be wary, but always best to habitually practice trail courtesy with others; this behavior creates a happy, friendly trail user community.”
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Trail users with dogs should always have them on leash and in control whenever approaching others, and dog walkers should make a habit of picking up all dog poop and putting it in the trash. Dogs are required to be on leash within the City of Port Townsend, and within Washington State Parks.
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Pedestrians (people walking) ALWAYS have the rightof-way over any other mode or pace (horses, bicycles, runners). On wider facilities, like the Larry Scott Memorial Trail, when overtaking other trail users, it is customary to pass on the left, with a courteous greeting, “Hello,” or “Good day,” and saying “On your left.” When overtaking on narrower trails, the over-taker should SLOW DOWN, proceed with caution and give a friendly greeting to the overtaken. Then, negotiation usually happens in which the slower party usually steps aside to let the faster one pass. Gratitude for yielding party should ALWAYS be expressed. When meeting other oncoming trail users, pedestrians should use their best judgment as to who should yield the right-of-way and express it by their actions. They can remain walking, in which case the other user should stop and step aside; or they can step aside and allow the other to pass. Friendly greetings, salutations and thanks should always be expressed.
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TRAIL COURTESIES
Fort Worden State Park