Islanders filled the newly remodeled Marie Boe Building at the San Juan County Fairgrounds May 26, to listen to and provide input on potential alternative routes for a multi-use trail that was originally proposed to travel from the top of Spring Street to Zylstra Lake Preserve.

“This is our first truly public meeting about the project,” Interim Assistant County Manager Brandon Andrews said. “We are going to have a robust question and answer period at the end, so if we could hold off questions until then, that would be great.”

Andrews introduced Grant Carlton, with San Juan County Public Works, to provide background information.

“I just want to say that both in respect to the project itself and the way the county navigated the project I want to be the first to admit that is wasn’t perfect,” Carlton said, adding that conversations with community members, listening to those who voiced opinions at council meetings was what instigated the May 26 meeting. “This is your local government, your elected officials, but we are also neighbors… You are all here tonight, including those who work for the county, because we care about this place that we love and get to call home.”

Carlton then delved into the background and how the original trail concept began.

“We have been talking about [non-motorized trails] for a very long time,” Carlton said, as far back as the 90s. The community feedback over time has generally reflected a desire for more multi-use trails in the islands. In 2005, as part of the county’s Parks and Recreation Plan, 5,000 households were surveyed. That survey found that 82% of county residents either agree or strongly agree that trails and bikeways should at least be integral to part of the county’s transportation planning.

“That tells us that the public really supports investing in trails and pathways,” Carlton told the crowd. “Then we did a survey for Public Works. We received 1,000 responses.”

The survey, according to Carlton, showed 86% approval for enhanced road shoulders and separating trails, or both. “So some form of non-motorized transportation corridors,” he said, adding that this again reflected a desire for a safer more accessible trail. Looking at where most people might go should a trail be developed a few major corridors were identified. Spring Street into San Juan Valley was one, Cattle Point Road was another. Then, in 2020 Senator Rick Larson’s Office called to let the county know there was potential money available for a multi-use trail if a plan was submitted.

In December of 2022, Senator Larson’s Office called again, this time to say San Juan County was successful in receiving 5-8 million dollars for the project. To receive the funds, the trail must be accessible, it must be a separate path and not simply a widened road shoulder, and because in the original project description, Zylstra Lake was chosen as a destination, it should be somewhere in the San Juan Valley, Cattle Point area rather than heading out Roche Harbor or Beaverton Valley.

The trail could have vegetation buffers, provide educational signs along the way. To get feedback on what direction the community wanted the trail to go, attendees took part in an exercise, voting on what they wanted most or least in a trail. Protecting farmland was voted most important while providing educational signage was voted least.

Carlton then discussed various proposed routes. “No route is perfect, it’s private land, and we have to have a lot of conversations with private land owners,” he explained. “I want to point out that [the original trail] extends largely through Preservation Trust land and rental farm. There are a number of different legal restrictions… So that trail has tremendous challenges.”

The meeting broke into a question-and-answer session.

“I want to know how you are going to protect the land,” one attendee asked. “What happens if some Yahoo flicks their cigarette butt… how do you get firetrucks there? How do you get EMS there? How are you going to protect the land?”

Carson first asked if this is a concern on every trail, and the attendee affirmed that was true. Carson responded that he had not witnessed that type of behavior, however, the community can’t allow one person to spoil everything for the rest, or let fear get in the way.

Another attendee asked how a trail such as the one being discussed would benefit islanders. Council member Christine Minney responded, “I raised my three children in town and I would have loved an extended trail. I would have loved the opportunity to take my daughter in her stroller on a trail rather than around Turn Point, no doubt.”

Several questions pertained to how the trail would be maintained, how that would be funded, and how the current studies for the project were being funded. The county is currently paying for the studies. Eminent domain was also brought up.

“As part of a council of three, I sigularly, would not use eminent domain on the project,” Minney stated.

Many vocalized frustration with the county over a lack of communication. “If it wasn’t for my neighbor I would not have known about this meeting,” one property owner said.

Another pointed out the difference between a trail that is an easement versus one that is taking property away from the owner.

“I am a supporter of trails… I have to express how disappointed I am in this process. As one of the private land owners I would have had the trail go through my backyard, literally looking at my back patio, then down the side of my property to Douglas Road, where they would have had to clear trees. I asked if [Public Work staff] had ever been to my property to see what it looks like and the answer was no,” another attendee said.

Several in the crowd expressed support for widening road shoulders, making them safer for both walking and biking, but the theme “no trails” echoed through the room.

Boos rumbled through the room toward the end of the meeting when Colin Huntemer, Public Works Director, said “Widening shoulders feels like you are building something for visitors. When you create separated trails or trails in general feels like you are building something for your neighbors and families.”