Trails

Destination Pathways To walk or not to walk? We are working to establish a pedestrian walking path around the core of Freeland, helping move people safely (we have no sidewalks) between key destinations. Nearly 3 miles of trails from Freeland Park to downtown services and businesses have been identified.

Key partners include local property owners supportive of such access, Island County and the Port of South Whidbey. Easements, liability issues and funding for creation and maintenance are part of making this happen.

We think a pathway from the Maple Ridge Senior Center to the Freeland Library and Professional Buildings is a fine way to kick off this project. Interested in lending a hand? Let us know if you enjoy finding out what it takes to get it done, creating a budget and a timeline for the project, or are just willing to help on this team.

TRAIL PLAN (Non Motorized Mobility)

The initial focus is the Freeland core as shown on the following map:

Purpose/Objective of First Focus: (See Table of Projects at end below) Create a system of interconnected paths and sidewalks within Freeland that will make it practical, safe and enjoyable for people to leave their cars at home or park them only once while shopping or visiting multiple businesses and other facilities within town. The paths would support hikers and bicyclists with defined routes of trails and roadway shoulders. The sidewalks would support pedestrians with a more level surface and a well defined separation from the road such as a curb or plantings that is more suitable for older people and even wheelchairs.

While concentrating initially on the Freeland core, these enhancements will be planned and implemented in the context of the larger network which will allow this system to tie into the larger network of paths and trails that will eventually encompass the larger areas of Whidbey and Camano Islands which comprise Island County. These two islands will tie in with trails from the mainlands, such as the Pacific Northwest Trail.

The Friends of Freeland have developed a system of trails within this core area of Freeland as shown on the map above. Those trails have also been incorporated into the County's "2006 Island County Non-Motorized Trails Plan." They have resolved a number of issues needed to make this a reality, but several issues remain and additional enhancements will be necessary.