County: Trails enough in this area

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, October 9, 2002

This relates to Betty Walker’s letter in the Sept. 14 Whidbey News-Times. I am puzzled about why the county would even think to spend money on a walking trail on West Beach Road, from Libbey Road to Van Dam Road, when there are already miles of trail a short distance from the intersection of West Beach and Libbey Road.

These trails start at the beach and run by Lake Pondilla to Fort Ebey State Park and through the Kettle Trails. They are scenic, historical and educational (showing how a glacier has carved out the island). They have adequate parking and there are restrooms, camping and picnic areas available. Fort Ebey even has a World War II gun emplacement.

A great deal of the work on these paths was done by volunteer labor. There are trails for all levels of walkers, from hilly to flat, from pathways to driveway widths. Some of the wider trails are used by horseback riders too. Most of the trails are protected from wind by woods. The only sounds you hear are Mother Nature’s and your own voice. Eventually the trails, depending on which one you take, will connect with the one along the main highway to Coupeville. If you want more information or maps you can call Trax maps at (360) 321-4456 or write for maps to Trax Maps: PO Box 817, Langley WA 98260. This is a safe area to take your family and dog for biking, hiking and walking.

So, why a trail along this busy county road? It will be noisy; smelly from car fumes; and exposes walkers to the wind and blowing sand. There are at least 14 driveways to be crossed and it is next to farmlands where farm equipment will be used. In view of the cost of the project; the impact on private land owners; I would hope that there is someone at the courthouse who will stand up for the rights of the involved landowners, especially when they don’t seem to want this trail crossing their land.

Patricia Sullivan

Coupeville