Oak Harbor residents want more urban trails and natural space, according to a survey taken by the Planning Department during a multi-faceted research campaign to formulate a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan proposal.

The city only has two and a half miles of existing trails.

Two years in the making, the plan is based on public input via a focus group, survey, through city blog posts and meetings with the Navy and park board members.

“It’s been a long road to get to this public hearing this evening,” Steve Powers, director of public services, told the Oak Harbor Planning Commission Jan. 22.

The citizen planners made a unanimous vote to recommend approval of the plan, which will go before City Council in March.

“It’s taken a couple of years … but I think it was time well spent,” Cac Kamak, senior planner, said during his presentation.

The plan serves as a long-term vision for the community, recommends possible trail and open space projects and inventories existing recreation opportunities and the maintenance those facilities require. Most importantly, the document outlines an action plan for Oak Harbor’s park and recreation services for the next six years.