The Clear Creek segment of the Mosquito Fleet Trail is already open in Central Kitsap

Just four years since the planning for the Mosquito Fleet Trail was completed, the County closes in on its official designation as a Heritage Tour Route in the National Scenic Byways program.

Heritage Tour Routes, through the Heritage Corridors Program within the State Department of Transportation, can be roads, trails or other corridors that contain regional and/or local points of interest related to historic, cultural, recreational, archaeological or scenic resources.

“Heritage status for the Mosquito Fleet Trail has been our goal for many years. Combining historical education and recreational use will bring Kitsap County national recognition and be a great asset for our citizens,” said County Commissioner Chris Endresen.

The Mosquito Fleet Trail appears to have all the elements for qualifying in this category going for it, with its rich history and points of interest along a well-conceived land-based trail system.

From the very beginning of settlement in the Puget Sound region over 250 years ago, the most efficient and effective way to move from one area to another was by boat. As population and commerce increased, the need for a larger, more organized water-borne transportation system became evident.

The system that evolved became known as the “Mosquito Fleet.” Early settlers depended on the small steamers that “buzzed around” the Puget Sound quickly and regularly for commerce and transportation. Individually owned and operated vessels, large and small, worked together to develop a semi-regular schedule of service between several waterfront communities.

Many of the “ports of call” were crude docks that could accommodate a few neighbors if the tide was high, to very formidable docks that could handle freight and an ever-growing number of passengers. Remaining evidence of these structures is long gone, but at some sites piling still exists. At other locations replacement docks have been built at their original locations, and some are still functioning today as they did decades ago.

These sites are identifiable along the shoreline from Olalla in South Kitsap all the way north to Kingston and Hansville in North Kitsap. Each has a “history” associated with it, as well as a rich community heritage. This fleet was operational until the middle of the 1900's when roads and bridges were developed to link communities together. Eventually, larger and faster ferries were brought into service thus eliminating the need for these small vessels and they vanished from our legacy. The small foot ferries operating between the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Port Orchard and Annapolis are the last remaining remnants.

Preserving that maritime history is the goal of the Mosquito Fleet Trail Master Plan. The plan was created using an aggressive public involvement process, and now once again the project is being raised to another level of visibility. The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners, working with the mayors of the incorporated cities, and other agencies and organizations, is seeking to preserve and enrich the Mosquito Fleet history.

That vision was a trail that could serve both recreation and non-motorized transportation needs. It has appeal for both local communities and visitors to the County as evidenced by the response to the over 4000 informational publications and questionnaires mailed out to citizens along the route and posted on the County's website. Overall responses were positive, thoughtful and supportive - excitement in others.

The trail links all four of the County's cities, (Port Orchard, Bremerton, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island) 25 local communities, eleven public schools, numerous city, county and state parks as well as Suquamish Tribal Land together in a rich historical trail embracing the legacy of the Mosquito Fleet. Points of interest along the trail highlight environmental features, have historical significance, and provide cultural and educational value. Most every stop provides rich scenic vistas of Puget Sound and the natural beauty surrounding it.

Developing the trail gives residents a local treasure, and would provide tourists with an up-close and personal glimpse into our rich history.

Developing this plan as a Heritage Tour Route provides a unique opportunity for cooperation between government agencies, stakeholders and citizen groups. Designation through this federal program could provide assistance through grants that help develop and promote the route.

The task of taking the Mosquito Fleet Trail from a good idea to reality is a large one. The entire trail could take up to 20 years to complete, but the first piece was finished in 2002 along the West Kingston Road. Sidewalks, bicycle lanes and a monument to Kingston's ties to the Mosquito Fleet were added. Currently, a corridor study has been completed for the Miller Bay Road extension of the trail and a recent state transportation enhancement grant may fund the design and engineering of another three miles of trail near Miller Bay.

In the spring of 2005, the state had acknowledged and accepted the County's request for the Heritage Tour Route nomination. This past September, the state spelled out a process to assist in the endeavor. There will be another call for nominations at the federal level in 2007 so two teams are busy preparing an Historic, Cultural and Recreational Travelers Services Inventory and the required Corridor Management Plan to meet federal requirements.

The Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau will be preparing the inventory, and the consulting firm of MacLeod Reckord is engaged in the preparation of the Corridor Management Plan. Over the course of the next two months the county will be hosting public meetings to explain the designation process and solidify further support at the community level.

The ability to identify points of interest along the route as to their environmental significance, historical value, cultural and educational importance, as well as their scenic beauty, will make the trail a county treasure for residents, and a visitor's paradise.

If you are interested in becoming a part of this exciting process or want to find out more, visit the County's website at www.kitsapgov.com/mosquito/whatistrail.htm or contact (360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940 and email mosquito@co.kitsap.wa.us. For more information on the program go to: www.byways.org.