Heritage Park gains entrance to trails

KINGSTON — North End residents trying to get to other areas of the county may find yet another obstacle when traversing Miller Bay Road in the form of work on the Heritage Park entrance. About a week and half ago, Northern Con-Ag crews began excavating the site in preparation for widening the roadway and adding turn lanes to provide access to the open space.

The 830-acre park, when completed, will boast sports fields, trails and a host of other outdoor amenities residents have suggested over the years. Kitsap County has purchased a 450-piece portion of the park, and is in negotiations to acquire the remainder of the property.

A green trailer which served as the unofficial marker for the entrance has been removed, said Kitsap County senior maintenance supervisor Dori Leckner.

“The green mobile trailer was hauled off the property,” she said. “Crews are excavating for widening. There are two ditches there now, that’s where they are preparing to widen the road.”

She said the entrance to the park is the only portion being improved at present, and was uncertain what would be next in the series of steps to provide public access to the park.

“The extent of the construction is an improvement to Miller Bay Road,” said Seattle-based Berger Partnership Landscape Architect Jud Youell. “Our next step depends on what the commissioners decide.”

The Berger Partnership has been working on designs for Heritage Park, and is now waiting to hear from the Kitsap County Commissioners before moving forward again.

Commissioner Steve Bauer said he hasn’t seen the Miller Bay Road site, and doesn’t have a lot of background on the project just yet.

“My guess is it’s a good plan knowing the staff and (former Commissioner Chris Endresen),” he said. He couldn’t comment further, but said he would be looking into the designs and timelines of the park in the near future.

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