Port Ludlow Trails/Natural Resources Committee Meeting
05 July, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Pres. Mike Porter at 10:00 am
The July agenda and June meeting minutes were approved.
Sub-Committee Reports:
Financial Report: CFO Jack Manning reported that we have $1343.07 in our checking account as well as $3606.70 in the PLVC account. Mike Porter gave Jack a check for $50 which he received from Coldwell Banker Realty for 50 trail maps. We also have received $65 from the Friday Market Massagers which was an unexpected gift.
Grant Sharpe Memorial: Marge Carter reported that the committee to design the Grant Sharpe Memorial met and decided that the “sit and enjoy” area will be very simple and natural. Rather than a man-made bench, half-log benches such as the one by the falls will be used. Mike Porter said he can rip some of the cedar logs that are currently on the Rainier Trail to make the seats. A simple sign with a statement about “sit and enjoy” which Grant wrote as well as a small, simple plaque about Grant will be added. Probably some native plants will eventually be added as well since we cleared the area quite a bit. The Valley Nursery in Poulsbo would be a good source of native plants. A wildflower garden at the entrance of the trail is anticipated after the completion of the nearby sub-division. It is hoped that the RV park through which we now enter the trail will be improved from its current condition in the near future. Monies which have been donated in memory of Grant will be used exclusively for the maintenance of the Interpretive Trail.
The sign posts for the newest signs that Grant wanted on the trail are in our possession and waiting to be installed.
Natural Resources: Dick Ullmann spent a day at the Friday Market and sold 7 of our Port Ludlow Nature Guides, gave away trail maps, and talked with several enthusiastic newcomers about our trails. He will be there again on 21 Aug. Anyone else who would like to do the same is welcome any Friday.
He also reported that there does not seem to be any purple martins in residence in the new gourds yet. It may take a year for them to move in since the next generation will most likely be the ones to come.
The other bird houses that we are going to build will be put together in the Fall. The lumber has been bought for 18 houses to be made. Six will be put on the Rainier Loop, six on the golf course, and we will sell the other six at the Friday Market.
Stewards: Chief Steward Doris Monti reported that Larry McDuff has agreed to steward the Timberton Spur; Bob Azen says that BayView is maintaining the path and Scots Broom in their area; Edie Dempster, steward of the Ludlow Cove Trail, says the area south of the gazebo needs weed whacking.
The stewards’ job is the walk their chosen trail twice a month and do whatever maintenance they can do themselves. If there is more work needed than they can handle they should call Doris and she will arrange for workers to come in. New steward volunteers are always welcome to call Doris for a trail assignment at 437-0716.
Trail Work: Jack Riggen and other volunteers are still working on the Rainier Loop Trail every Wednesday morning 9 – 12. No help will be turned away! It’s a beautiful trail and we’d like to keep it that way.
Most of the trail work right now is mowing encroaching grass and cutting back blackberry branches etc. Mike Porter has been renting a mower and mowing some trails himself. Mowing volunteers would really be appreciated. A chairman to oversee the mowing would really be appreciated. Mike would be really pleased to hear from you at 437-4101. We had a long discussion about going with volunteers with rented mowers or paying professional mowing persons. The latter is very expensive but will have to ultimately be the way to go if no volunteers come forth. Mike cannot and should not do all of this himself.
Other unanticipated trail work recently involved rescuing the Interpretive Trail picnic table which was found pushed over the side of the creek. Mike Porter and Willard Gatlin retrieved it and cemented it into the ground.
Unfinished Business:
Maps: Mike Porter sold 50 trail maps to Coldwell Banker for their distribution to potential residents. Other businesses, American Marine Bank in particular, wanted their logo on the map but didn’t want to put it on with a stamp.
Trail Agreements: These have been sent to the villages and associations whose land is used for trails for signatures to ensure that we have written permission for use.
Mission Statement: Phyllis Hansen has written a statement with the “essence” of the Trails/Natural Resources Committee’s mission for your consideration and approval as follows: The purpose of the Trails/Natural Resources Committee is to develop an awareness and appreciation in the Port Ludlow community of the established walking/bike trails, to encourage users to help maintain the trails and to inform residents as to their role in enhancing and nurturing the natural resources that abound in the area.
Please read this carefully and reply to Phyllis with any comments or revisions. Her e-mail address is bphansen@cablespeed.com. Or call her at 437-5152.
New Business
Meeting with PLA: Mike Porter has a meeting scheduled with several PLA people on 17 July to look over the potential Olympic Trail and perhaps talk about the RV park. Larry Nobles stated that the Olympic Trail is roughed out on the Olympic Terrace II maps so we are expecting it to come to fruition in time.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Next meeting will be Tuesday 01 August at 10:00 a.m. at the Port Ludlow Firehouse.
Soozie Darrow, Secretary