By Dan Richman

drichman@whidbeynewsgroup.com

The Board of Island County Commissioners Tuesday approved without discussion the use of $138,300 in grant money to acquire 32.5 acres adjacent to the existing 654-acre Trillium Community Forest in Freeland.

The additional land — a 2.5-acre parcel and an adjacent 30-acre parcel, both off Bounty Loop Road —  will be used to create a new trailhead, roughly nine parking spots, an ADA-accessible half-mile loop trail, signage and an informational kiosk, said Steve Marx, Island County’s assistant director of public works and parks.

An undetermined number of parking spots will be ADA-accessible.

The intention is to enhance outdoor recreational activities including hiking and watching wildlife activities.

The grant came from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust “orchestrated the acquisition,” Marx said.

The work will likely be completed within six months to a year and could be performed by either the county or the land trust, he said.