Preserve Activities - 12/5/10

Trail Signs Up.  It was quit a work party on Sunday (12/5/10) in the Illahee Preserve as Justin McAlister's Eagle Scout Project & Scout Troop installed trail signs throughout the Preserve.  Thanks to Justin and all those scouts and parents that came to help!  The Illahee Preserve is a proof and confirmation that volunteers such as those making trail signs, can plan, maintain, and support a major county park.  Our filmmaker, Shelly Solomon, and official Illahee photographer, John Lind, were there covering the event and there will be other photos coming.  We have attached several photos that we took of the event.

New  Brochure & Boxes Installed.  This is a good time to mention that the trail map brochure is being updated and hopefully will soon be available to put in the new brochure boxes that Justin's project installed just under the Park's Department rule's sign.  Thanks to the architectural firm of Rice, Fergus, Miller for their continued support of the Preserve by preparing the initial brochure and now updating it.  Note that the brochure was updated after Justin's project began and so we have some new trail names and one completely new trail that Justin will be considering adding to his project, kind of a Phase 2 project if he can get the materials and find the time.

Trails Being Used.  When we are at the Preserve we are amazed at how many people are using it, from walking their dogs (the biggest percentage) to walking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding (see item below). 

Mini 4-Wheeler.  Every now and then we run across those using motorized vehicles in the Preserve, which is illegal.  We came across the smallest 4 wheeler (battery powered) we have ever seen with three youngsters on it (see photo).  They had come some distance by going down alleys to get to the Preserve, but while they were enjoying their ride up and down the trails, we had to tell them that motorized vehicles are not allowed in the Preserve, and they left.  They were very nice and polite kids.

Horses.  While motorized vehicles are not allowed, horses are, and there were two horses using the Preserve trails on Sunday (see photo).  There has been some discussion amongst the Stewardship Committee that with the increasing use of the Preserve by those walking, biking, and jogging; that horse back riding might not be appropriate at some point.  Those are the kind of issues discussed at Stewardship Committee meetings, which are open to the public, so if you have issues or would like to attend, please let us know and we will pass the info on.

Jim Aho 

Various Items - 9/1/10

Kitsap County Fair.  Several of us were at the Kitsap County Fair last week to answer questions regarding the Illahee Preserve, the Illahee Preserve/Illahee Creek Restoration Project, the Illahee Creek Surface Water Management Plan & stormwater issues, and the very recent gifting of the Rolling Hills Golf Course to Kitsap County.  We were there to help explain the many issues pertinent to Illahee and we kept busy all five days of the Fair answering questions.  Below is a photo of the booth that was in the Pavilion.  The Illahee Preserve photo board was in the Park's Dept booth next door.

New Update Recipients.  We found there was much interest in what was happening with the Preserve, Rolling Hills Golf Course, and Illahee in general, with a number being interested enough to want to receive the Illahee Community Updates that are sent out periodically to over 400 recipients.  Most of the new recipients are those who live just outside of the Illahee Community boundaries, but nevertheless want to know what is happening as they are close by neighbors, with many using the Illahee Preserve.

Illahee Preserve Maps.  Over the years there has been considerable interest in the Illahee Preserve and the trail maps at the Fair, and this year we went through more maps than ever.  We depleted the Park's Department pile and had to bring several hundred more that the Rotary and Illahee Forest Preserve group had printed up.  We should note that this is good as it shows the interest in the Preserve and also since we need to update the map very soon because several new trails have been added.

Letter re Rolling Hills.  Last Monday at the Commissioner's meeting the following letter was read by Bob Jarvis.  The same letter was to be sent to the Kitsap Sun, but an earlier draft version was sent instead. We have printed the correct version that thanks Don Rasmussen and Kerma Peterson for their very generous gift of the golf course.

        August 23, 2010

Letter to the Editor:

        Thank you Don Rasmussen and Kerma Peterson, for your extraordinary and especially generous gift of the Rolling Hills Golf Course!  

Illahee has become a recreational destination in Kitsap County and the greater West Sound area in a large part because of your work in establishing a premier and affordable community golf course.  While Illahee’s unique topography has limited development, it has fostered some incredible recreational opportunities such as the golf course, Illahee State Park, the Illahee Preserve, and the Port’s Community Dock, making this area and Kitsap County a great place to live. 

The Illahee Community appreciates your incredible gift and forward thinking that preserves Rolling Hills as a golfing jewel for future generations, and at the same time ensures the continuation of the “meals on wheels” program for seniors throughout the area.  Your gift will also help us eventually control the storm water surges that pollute Illahee Creek and Puget Sound.

Thank you Don and Kerma, Commissioners, and Commissioner Josh Brown for making it all happen!

Barney Bernhard, for the Illahee Community Club

Illahee Community Meeting.  We have been reminded that we did not yet report on the Illahee Community Meeting that was held last Monday evening.  The meeting was primarily spent with Kitsap County presenting information on the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) update that is currently underway.  There were many questions and concerns as what will be decided will affect all the Kitsap County shorelines.  The rest of the meeting was primarily reports with no new decisions being made or voted upon.  

Brochures & Petition Delivery.  We have been advised that a stormwater brochure and a packet with a petition and a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) sheet is being distributed throughout the Illahee Community.  Evidently there were approximately 850 petitions out of 1000 that hadn't been distributed as they were hoping for a Grant or Land Trust to buy the Timbers Edge property.  When that didn't happen they decided to continue the petition distribution and decided to include the new stormwater brochure that had just been developed.  They have covered the area north of Third Street and are moving south.  We also heard residents are helping out by covering the Nobles Lane area and Rue Villa.  We have heard they are going to stop when they run out of the 1000 petitions they had printed.  If you don't get one delivered in the next two days, please let us know and we will send you by email the brochure, petition and FAQ.

Wildlife Pictures.  We have several wildlife pictures to pass on.  Deer continue to be frequent visitors to most all of Illahee.  This yearling buck didn't seem to concerned until we got really close.  The cormorants are starting to come back to nearby floats.  A few years ago there was a cormorant at the Illahee dock that acted like it was someone's pet.  The ravens are still in the Preserve, and gray squirrels seem to be moving further into the territory of the native Douglas squirrels.

Port of Illahee Meeting Date Change.  For the month of September only the Port has changed its normal 2nd Wednesday of the month meeting date and will be meeting on Tuesday, September 7th, at 5 pm at their new facility at 5560 Ocean View Blvd.  

Keep Sending in Information.  We will continue to pass information on that you send into us. 

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous Items - 4/20/10

Short Nesting Time for Local Canada Goose.  Four days and two eggs was all a local Canada Goose had for her nesting effort before some animal, probably a raccoon or possum, found her nest.  We heard the commotion at 2 am and in the morning found the two broken egg shells on the grass the next morning, along with a sad looking female goose.

Young Eagle Thinks Twice About Taking on One of the Geese.  A few days after the above event a young bald eagle started to swoop down on one of the Canada Geese, and only backed off when the goose flared its wings.  We have watched eagles attach Canada geese before but they are usually just a lone goose on the beach. 

Deer Reports.  When their raspberry bed looked like a bunch of sticks sticking up out of the ground, one resident put up a new 7' high fence around the area.  He said three deer were visiting the bed every night until they had decimated nearly all the raspberries.  A neighbor tried to shoo the deer away and found them reluctant to leave the area.  So far the netting has worked and they said they found the netting at Lowes for $12 something and it was 7' by 100' which is reported to be a good price.  

Rainy Day for Rain Garden Mulching.  There were 6 brave souls who weeded and mulched two of the Illahee Preserve Almira parking lot rain garden plots on Saturday, April 17th.  It was suggested that a week day after-work evening be scheduled for finishing the mulching as many have their Saturdays already booked.

Red Elderberry Being Pulled Up.  We have has several people concerned that someone is going through the Preserve pulling out Red Elderberry plants.  These are good native plants and we are wondering if someone might be thinking they are invasive species, as there doesn't seem to be any other explanation for their actions.  If you see anyone pulling these plants out, please let us know by calling 479-1049.

Brush Pickers.  There have been reports that there are brush pickers in the Preserve recently and specifically the last two days.  This is illegal activity and they need to be reported by calling 911 or by calling us at 479-1049.  

Rogue Trail Makers.  We have also heard that there are rogue trails being cut through the Preserve.  Any new trail needs to be approved by the Stewardship Committee and the Parks Department.  There are no new trails being established at this time.  If you see someone cutting a trail, please call the Park's Department or 479-1049.

Illahee Preserve Stewardship Meeting Tonight (4/20/10).  The Illahee Preserve Stewardship Committee meets the third Tuesday of each Month at the Port of Illahee office at 5560 Ocean View Boulevard, between 6:30 and 8:00 pm, and anyone is welcome to attend.  For more information call 479-1049 or 792-6934.

Gutter System?  We have been asked by someone who is considering having a gutter system installed, if there are any happy residents out there who have a recommendation.  Let us know and we will pass the information on.

Jim Aho

Trail Map, Blog, 3rd Street Photo - 6/12/08

New Illahee Preserve Brochure. A new brochure has been prepared for the Illahee Preserve by the architectural firm of Rice/Fergus/Miller. Over the past several years volunteers have been establishing trails in the Preserve and this brochure provides the first map of the trails. Much of the work has also been the result of the Stewardship Committee and the East Bremerton Rotary Club, who also provided the GPS coordinates for the map. This Kitsap County Heritage Park came about through the efforts of local residents with help from the County Commissioners and state elected officials. And so it is fitting that the trail work and the brochure are also the work of local groups. The brochure is to be printed double sided and folded so it is provided as the first two attachments. Many thanks to all those who have worked so hard on the Preserve and the new brochure!


Illahee Blog Site. All of the Illahee Community Updates are printed on the illaheecommunity.com website blog site so anyone can interact or comment on the updates. Simply click on the blog line on the home page. We have had people who have commented to us on the 3rd Street Excavation and we would encourage them to comment on the blog so others can understand their concerns. The interesting thing about blogs is that most people use a handle such as a recent post by the "Illahee Observer" who often times comments on the blog site.

3rd Street Excavation. We received the attached photo of work being accomplished at the site yesterday, Wednesday, in what appears to be some type of drainage system next to the wetland. Some of the nearby residents cannot believe what happened to the wetland, much less the apparent draining of the wetland area that is still remaining. We are still trying to understand, along with the neighbors, and hope the county will soon be able to explain what is happening, like they said they would during the Gilberton Creek washout meeting.

Keep Sending Us Information. We will continue to send out information you pass on to us, though possibly with some editing.

Jim Aho