Larry Scott Trail News

I could not help but notice the elegant and practical design of the new landscaping at the Cape George Trailhead Facility is. The purpose of the landscaping is to provide some order to the parking system and protect the natural environment. The plants will be watered until they are established. Here are a few pictures.

The pictures don't really do any justice to the way this landscaping brings form and function together. But go see it for yourself and I am sure you will agree. Thanks to the designer and the installers for their work here.

Jefferson Trails Coalition Opens Booth at the PT Farmers Market

A big thanks to Jeff Chapman, Juelie Dalzell, and Dan Collins, who helped make the JTC's appearance at the summer's first Farmers Market a great success. This is a great location for us to advertise our organization and its goals and promote our cause. We must have talked to well over a hundred people -- families, walkers, runners, cyclists, and equestrians -- and recruited four new PTC members.

There was great interest in the LSMT, its route through the Four Corners area and its continuation to the tip of Discovery Bay connection to therest of the ODT in Clallam County. The next market date that I've signed us up for is May 24th. (I will be out of town next weekend and there is no market scheduled for the 17th) But if someone wants to do it next weekend or on the 24th, please cantact me soon. I will need to let Wendie Dyson (PT Farmers Market manager) know ASAP when we would like to be at the market next. So please let me know if/when you can volunteer to staff the booth (again?).

It is only four hours long, so could be handled by only one person at a time, although we found that there was enough interest that three of us were often speaking with people simultaneously. I have all of the JTC display boards and handouts at my home in Hadlock. (We have yet to locate the JTC/LSMT/ODT banner, however.) I also talked to David McCulloch of of the PTBA) yesterday at the Rhody Ride about getting more of his very popular bike maps to hand out at future  markets. I told him I had sent many people down to his Elevated Ice Cream Shop for maps. He said that was fine and would supply us with maps for our next appearance at the market. It would also be great if we could make available some of the latest copies of the PTC Newsletter, Trailnotes, as handouts. Anyone? Thanks.

Again, thanks to all for helping and supporting this effort. Cheers, Jeff S.

Earth Day Clean Up a Success

Nik Worden, organizer extraordinaire working on Earth Day near Sand Road. Nik has a wealth of talent, training, experience and enthusiasm that have benefited the Larry Scott Trail and the community tremendously.

Many volunteers turned out to clean up for Earth Day. Tons of trash was picked up, the trail was swept, and the weeds were cut back. Here are some pictures!

Special Appreciations for the Open House on March 18th

I want to make sure to provide special thanks for Sue Ohlson of Sunrise Coffee for the delicious donations she made of coffee. In addition Linda Carson, Rosemarie Lueke, Jan North and Phil Walkden and the whole of Jefferson Trails Coalition for the wonderful muffins and cookies and cider. Thanks to the Port Townsend Running Club for cleaning up the trail the day before the event and for the Back Country Horsemn for their shelter and display. No appreciation of the trail would be complete without mentioning the incredible work of the entire Jefferson County Roads Division of Public Works. In addition Seton Construction and the whole crew should be thanked for the addition of the trail section recently built to connect the Cape George Trailhead Park with the rest of the trail. I am sure I have forgotten someone so please stay in touch! Email or call Matt Tyler at 385-2221 or mtyler@countyrec.com

The March 18th Open House is a Huge Success

There were many benefits to the March 18th Open House on the Larry Scott Trail. Among them are trail user education, awareness of the new connections in the trail, and an appreciation for each group of trail users: equestrians, bicyclist, and walkers. Fourty five people signed the guest list but many of those people represented groups of people, and not everyone signed in. Most of the visitors to the open house made a point of stopping to chat with the volunteers who work to maintain the trail and with other trail users.

Some important feedback was gathered especially regarding signage for the Cape George Trailhead Park and the need for an equestrian side trail in the new sections of trail.

Many thanks are provided to all of the participants and promoters of this event. I am not going to even try to list the individuals there were so many, but I do want to make a point to list the organizations including the Backcountry Horsemen, the Jefferson Trails Coalition, Jefferson County Public Works, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation, the Port Townsend Running Club, the Port Townsend Bicycle Club. I am sure I have forgotten some so email me and forgive me.

Volunteers Make it Happen

Click here to see a nice new flyer about the Larry Scott Trail construction projects. Thank you to all our volunteers.

Open House Planned!

LARRY SCOTT TRAIL OPEN HOUSE

 SATURDAY, MARCH 15TH 9 A.M –NOON

JEFFERSON TRAILS COALITION AND JEFFERSON COUNTY ROADS & PARKS DIVISIONS INVITE THE PUBLIC TO A MORNING OPEN HOUSE ALONG THE LARRY SCOTT TRAIL BETWEEN THE CAPE GEORGE TRAILHEAD PARK AND THE HIGHWAY 20 BRIDGE. 

Discover the new Cape George Trailhead and explore another mile of finished trail.  Bring the family, your walking or running shoes, bicycles, horses, llamas, or dogs (on leashes only, please).  Have fun on the trail, meet volunteers, and enjoy coffee, cider, cookies, and muffins.  Non-motorized. 

From P.T., head south on Discovery Road and turn west onto Cape George Road—travel about 1.5 miles to the Cape George Trailhead Park.

For more information contact Matt Tyler: 

mtyler@countyrec.com

(360) 385-9129

www.countyrec.com

Roads Division

The Larry Scott Trail is owned and operated by the Roads Division of Jefferson County Public Works. 'Roads' partners with many groups and individuals to provide this transportation corridor. For example, the State of Washington provides grants for aquisition and development, County Parks and Recreation is paid to manage the Adopt-a-Trail Program, and the Jefferson and Peninsula Trails Coalitions organize and conduct the work. Many other partners such as property owners, clubs, non-profits and more are involved but there are to many to mention here.

By providing such an effective non-motorized transportation trail, the Roads Division of Public Works benefits the environment, the economy, the health, and the safety of the entire community.

Lots of Excitement in the Air

The owners of the property adjacent to SR-20 has begun developing it. As part of that development, the last piece of the 'missing mile' of the Larry Scott Trail will be built. The trail will not follow the old railroad grade but will take a L shaped detour through the area. The trail will have a nice separation from the adjacent highway and the road. Watch here for more information soon!

Slideshow

To promote our photo album I have put a little slide show here of all of our pictures. You can order prints or get full sized electronic copies of these pictures by clicking down below where it says photo album.

Successful Work Party Report 

The work party (see picture below) on Saturday February 2nd, 2008 was a huge success. Thanks to all the volunteers who turned out and all the County Staff who helped them. If you are not sure how to get to this location please contact Matt Tyler for more information. More pictures are available as always in our photo album.

Work Party Planned for February 2nd, 2008

Were planning a work party on February 2nd, 2008 on South Edwards Road and along Douglas Road. Nik will arrange to have gravel dumped beforehand. If you are interested in this volunteer project to build and improve new trail then please contact Matt Tyler.

"Even Kids Can Get Into The Service Act"

The Missing Mile is Under Construction!

Thanks to everyone who has worked to make this a reality. Part of the missing mile between S.R. - 20 is now under construction. Beautiful work too! For a full size photo and other photos please visit our photo album.

The 'Wonder Machine' Goes to Work!

It did come together today! Except for a dead-end at a new power line trench serving Jim Conway's & Suzanne Michaels' property, Jeremy was able to clear everything we had outlined for him in 2 1/2 hours with his Super Brush Hog.

It's not a finished trail, but a few people with rakes, clippers and saws can finish it up quickly. The mulch that Jeremy's machine leaves behind tends to pile up in spots, but it is loose and easily dispersed.

Here are a few photos of completed work. (Sorry I didn't bring the camera at the beginning to photograph the machine). For complete photos in high resolution please see our photo album.

The Wonder Machine is Postponed

Due to wind and rain the Wonder Machine will not be used to build trail today, Thursday October 18th, 2007. We will keep you posted if this changes.

'Wonder Machine' Heading Our Way (POSTPONED)

Jeremy Scott is scheduled to bring his trail construction machine on Thursday morning, October 18. He will work on the easement at the south end of S. Edwards Road, across the remainder of the Discovery Ridge development, and then at the small section of trail at the northwest corner of Discovery Golf Club.

Nik Worden will be on site to offer guidance. Jeremy says that he doesn't think any other help will be necessary and that everyone should be aware that the machine is very loud.

In the meantime, if anyone would like to help with some difficult brushing needed to mark the trail location for Jeremy at the end of Edwards Road, contact MattTyler.

This will be a big chunk of progress all in one day for this exciting and all "volunteer constructed" trail. Be sure to check it out.

September 29th Work Party a Huge Success

• By all reports, the work party that occurred on September 29th was a huge success. Twenty three volunteers, and two tractors turned out to help! The party was able to get the work done before the wind and rain rolled in later that day.

• The crew got together at the MacLeod's for BBQ afterwards. Many thanks are offered to everyone that helped out.

• For an online photo album of this work party, click here.

New Work Party Is Planned Building New Trail!

• We will be having another work party Saturday, September 29, 2007 9:00am, with plenty of parking at the MacLeod's.   Again, we'll provide some snacks and tons of fun. 

• On the MacLeod and Doores property, there are three types of work that need to be done.  There is a substantial stretch that is almost-trail ready - with smooth grass footing and occasionally intrusive vegetation.  A couple of people with clippers and small saws (some capable of reaching high) should handle it easily.  There are other areas where a lot of tree-cutting is required -- trees up to 8" caliper and 50' high but most much smaller -- and this is the bulk of the work for this day.  There will also be a lot of cleanup work associated with removal of these trees.  The third area is short but involves heavy brush clearing and cleanup.

• Three areas of ground will require substantial grading.  The first Norm MacLeod has volunteered to do.  The second we will leave to a crew with a backhoe.  The third is a side hill that could be done by hand, but might benefit from a small tractor such as the one Jeff brought to the last work party. For more information please contact Matt Tyler

New Trail Section Begun! Labor Day Weekend Volunteer Project a Success.

• Thanks to our partners, volunteers, and staff, the work party on Saturday September 1st, 2007 was a great success. The work party organizer Nik Worden said "...this was one of the most productive groups I have ever worked with...."

• The group completed about 660 feet of new pedestrian, bicycle, and horse trail including some serious grading on the first 60 feet. We had brush cutters, tree cutters, stump pullers and trail bed workers. The trail section is located on the Foley properties easement on South Edwards Rd.

• The project was completed by 1pm, allowing time for the volunteers to go home and do some landscaping or gardening (or maybe not).

• Again thank you to all of the volunteers who made this possible. Thanks to just some of our partner organizations: the Jefferson Trails Coalition, the Peninsula Trails Coalition, the Buckhorn Range Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, the P.T. Bicycle Association, and the P.T. Running Club.

• In addition, a huge thank you goes out to all the neighbors of the Larry Scott Trail and the Olympic Discovery Trail. It is the generous support of all the surrounding property owners that make this project possible.

• For an online photo album of this project click here.

The long-awaited Larry Scott Trail Volunteer Work Party is finally here! SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1st, 2007

• Saturday, Sept. 1 at 9:00 a.m. We'll be building a horse & pedestrian trail through the Foley properties easement on South Edwards Road. Bring: work gloves and tools such as maddock, loppers/clippers, rake, shovel, etc.

• The Backcountry Horsemen will be supplying some hand tools, so if you come only with work gloves, there will be plenty to do. We will provide some snacks and drinks.

• Directions: From Cape George Road, turn south on Crutcher Road. Left on Sand Road. At the area where the completed segment of the Larry Scott trail ends, take the left fork onto So. Edwards Road. Continue over the small hill to parking on the left side of road along horse pasture. Please respond so we have an idea of how many people will be there. Questions? Contact Linda Carson at 385-0437 or Jan North at 379-9637

Nik Worden is Liason for Construction Projects

• Nik Worden is serving as liason to Jefferson County Public works for construction.

Trail Section Between S.R. 20 and the Cape George Road.

• In the fall of 2007, Jefferson County Public Works Roads Division plans to grade and gravel the section of the trail betwteen S.R. 20 and the Cape George Road.

Trail Section Between the Trailhead Park and Chevy Chase Golf Club

• Nik Worden is currently working with volunteer groups and neighbors to develop a primitive trail from the Trailhead Park on Cape George Road and the Chevy Chase Golf Club.

Work Project Planned for August 8th, 2007

• PTBA is teaming up with the Port Townsend Running Club (PTRC ) to help maintain, on an ongoing basis, a section of the Larry Scott Trail on which many of us run and bike. We will concentrate on the stretch from Mill Road to the outlet on Highway 20. Phil Walkden will be coordinating this important project. The first workparty (and we really do mean party!) will be Wednesday, August 8, at 4:30pm. Meet under the overpass for sweeping, clearing debris and pulling weeds that have grown or accumulated on the trail. Bring tools. Phil has promised chocolate cookies, and the work party will last about an hour. If you can't make Wednesday's work session, give Phil a call (385-5979) and he'll meet you an agreed time and show you specific things you can do to help maintain the trail.

Equestrian Clubs Teaming Up for Trail Construction

• The Buckhorn Range Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen Association of Washington has been working to construct new primitive horse trails in the Trailhead Park. The group includes a variety of volunteers such as those shown here: Bob Hoyle, Julie Dalzell, Betsy Harmsworth, and Sophia Granger.