Committee to survey Orcas on pathways

The Orcas Island Pathways Committee (Orcas Pathways) is conducting an island-wide survey to better understand the community’s thoughts, preferences, and priorities for pathways and their use on Orcas Island. Please keep an eye on your mail box, as it was mailed to Orcas Island residents Jan. 14.

Orcas Pathways designed this survey as a follow-up to its well-attended open house in fall 2003, and a 2004 survey conducted by the state Department of Parks and Recreation. The 2004 survey results put trails as the #1 priority for islanders. Orcas Pathways wants to know what kinds of pathways you desire and how you want to use them. In addition, the survey asks your thoughts and priorities regarding connecting our hamlets or activity centers.

“Our efforts are futile if we don’t know what the community wants,” says Pathways Chair Nelson Moulton. “Public ‘buy in’ and participation is vitally important to a pathway’s success. The North Beach community trail is the perfect example of what is possible.”

Information gathered from this survey will be used to draft an island-wide Pathways Plan.

Following the survey, Orcas Pathways will conduct hamlet meetings in the spring to explore how best to put this feedback into action. In addition, results will be provided to the Board of County Commissioners, as well as applicable county departments for use in their long-range recreation and non-motorized transportation planning.

Orcas Pathways, founded in 2002, is a volunteer citizen committee made up of Orcas residents and representatives of community organizations who wish to identify a system of pathways for safe travel and recreational opportunities on the island.

Surveys need to be returned on or before Feb. 15, 2005. Property owners who do not reside on Orcas Island are welcome to request a survey by e-mailing orcaspathways@yahoo.com or mailing P.O. Box 1383 Eastsound WA 98245.

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