A crowd turned out Monday at the Jefferson County Commissioners meeting to hear public testimony about creating a new segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail from Four Corners Road to Anderson Lake State Park. Jeff Michaelson, at podium, said he was concerned that the trail was going to run along his property and he had issues with security. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)

A crowd turned out Monday at the Jefferson County Commissioners meeting to hear public testimony about creating a new segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail from Four Corners Road to Anderson Lake State Park. Jeff Michaelson, at podium, said he was concerned that the trail was going to run along his property and he had issues with security. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)

Jefferson County approves creation of new trail segment

Path to Anderson Lake would hasten connection to Olympic Discovery Trail

PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County can get 2.5 miles closer to connecting to the Olympic Discovery Trail after the Jefferson County commissioners voted unanimously to approve the creation of a new segment of trail from Four Corners Road to Anderson Lake State Park.

An overflow crowd packed the Jefferson County commissioners meeting room Monday as 17 residents gave testimony during the public hearing.

John Fleming of the Public Works staff said the trail segment is projected to run from Four Corners at the Jefferson Transit Authority property, align with power lines, and run south, staying within private timber property owned by Pope Resources.

It would continue along that property to its south property line with no impact on the private property adjacent to the parcel. The trail will then run east to intersect and overlap a common property line with Anderson Lake State Park.

The resolution allows the commission to acquire the public right of way on a willing-seller basis.

“We are not condemning property,” Fleming said. “We have to have agreement for the sale to allow the trail to go in and perform preliminary engineering.”

He said the study viewed more than 120 miles of digital routes and boiled it down to a north section, a center section and a south section.

“We’re trying to get as much of the trail built as quickly as possible. We’re focusing on the north section first, because it was generally agreed that a trail running through Anderson Lake Park was a destination that is worthy of extending the current Larry Scott [Trail] down to.”

Currently, those wishing to recreate between the current end of the Larry Scott Trail at Milo-Curry Road and the beginning of the Olympic Discovery Trail at Gardiner Road East in Discovery Bay must share a 7-mile stretch of state Highway 20, a narrow, winding road, with passenger cars and commercial trucks.

Jeff Michaelson of Four Corners Road told commissioners that one of the plans had the trail down the east side and south side of his property

“It was very concerning to me that the trail was going to run on my property,” Michaelson said. “I was informed this morning that the trail was not going to go down that path, which was a relief to me. There are security concerns. It will be a challenge to control it.”

Alec Jensen of Malamute Lane said he uses the trail and supports the path but has concerns that the trail might become a shortcut to Anderson Lake Road for ATVs and 2-stroke motorcycles that he said currently illegally use an easement for the city and the mill for water.

Scott Walker from Port Townsend said 40 years ago he helped fund the trails coalition with Larry Scott and Rick Tollefson.

“I can’t believe it’s taken this long to get to this point,” Walker said. “We thought we could reroute traffic over 104 and 19 and take over Highway 20 for bicycles. For crying out loud, 30 plus years.”

Juelie Dalzell of Cape George Road said she wanted residents to know that she’s never had a problem with security and the trail goes through her property.

“I represent the horse community. This trail has been such a boon to us and it keeps older people active. We’re allowed to get out and about when our hips don’t work and our knees don’t work.”

Commissioner Kate Dean said the Legislature provided about $1 million dollars to help fund the project “with a lot of volunteer work by the Peninsula Trails Coalition.”

Jefferson County was awarded funds through the State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) for the planning, acquisition and development of trail segments with a vision of connecting the communities of the North Olympic Peninsula from La Push to Port Townsend with a 130-mile-long trail for bicyclists, pedestrians and equestrians.

The trail is expected to be incorporated into the 1,200-mile-long Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail running from Glacier National Park in Montana to the Pacific Ocean near Cape Alava, and the 3,700-mile, coast-to-coast Great American Rail Trail.

________

Jefferson County Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

From left, Mercedes Sunshine Shimko and Hudson Soelter.
Club grows local scholarships

The Port Angeles Garden Club awarded five area students… Continue reading

Ian Mason of Edgewood, an employee of Titan Earthworks, hammers a brick paver into place at the corner of First and Oak streets in downtown Port Angeles on Wednesday as part of a project to replace and repair sidewalks and curbs across the city. Included are the installation of improved wheelchair ramps, replacement of overgrown trees and numerous street corner repairs. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Sidewalk repairs

Ian Mason of Edgewood, an employee of Titan Earthworks, hammers a brick… Continue reading

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe members gather by the Elwha River to hold a ceremony in support of a petition to protect forests in the Elwha River Watershed. (John Gussman)
Groups advocate for timber cancellation

Water, environment center of concerns

Jefferson hears possible floodplains changes

New development standards, compliance and enforcement in updated code

Crews to trim tree limbs in Blyn

Maintenance workers from the state Department of Transportation will be… Continue reading

EYE ON BUSINESS: This week’s meetings

Meetings on Wednesdays at the student-run… Continue reading

Election security measures in place

Fire suppressant just one example

Ruby Speer, 3, of Port Angeles receives a treat from KaraLee Monroe of Kindred Collective as part of Thursday’s Halloween festivities in downtown Port Angeles. Hundreds of youngsters and adults made their way door-to-door in search of candy and other treasures. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Trick or treat in Port Angeles

Ruby Speer, 3, of Port Angeles receives a treat from KaraLee Monroe… Continue reading

Karen Huber, sister of Nash Huber, the owner of Nash’s Organic Produce, stands by large crates that hold various seeds that Nash sells to farmers. She said she’s mitigated alleged violations and concerns from property owner, Washington Land Trust, but the longtime farmer faces eviction from the property if he doesn’t comply with ending his lease agreement that goes through 2032. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Washington Farmland Trust could evict Dungeness farmer

Nash Huber helped preserve Delta Farm in 1999

Amy Seidewand chair making. (Lacey Carnahan)
Port Townsend Woodworkers Show ready for the weekend

Event dedicated to memory of woodworking pillar

Two ghosts dangle from a tree in the breeze in the 200 block of West 10th street in Port Angeles. Halloween events are scheduled today throughout the North Olympic Peninsula. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Ghostly visions

Two ghosts dangle from a tree in the breeze in the 200… Continue reading