San Juan Trails Committee updates
Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 2, 2026
Submitted by the San Juan Island Trails Committee.
See you tomorrow at our April scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 2, at noon in the Island Rec conference room, located at 580 Guard St. Below are minutes from our March meeting. We’d love to hear your ideas for future Know Your Island Walks and dates for volunteer work parties!
March 12 meeting recap
The San Juan Island Trails Committee met in the Island Rec conference room at noon on Thursday, March 12. Board members present were Mark Noyes (chair) and Tanja Williamson (secretary); Allison Moalli (Island Rec Liaison) and three members of the public. 0 hours reported worked on general trails and 0 for Roche Harbor.
Chair’s Report – Chair, Mark Noyes, reported walking the Frog Song trail a couple of months ago and it was very wet and mucky. Mark recently met with Eric Stone, who suggested adding a culvert with covered gravel. Eric will confirm with Public Works. Mark is working with Green Man on materials donation and a local Scout troop to donate labor. If everything comes together (i.e., Public Works and donations) Mark will propose this solution to the neighbors.
Mark met with Friday Harbor Labs regarding trail work. Next steps include Trails Committee choosing date(s) for volunteer work party(s) and drumming up volunteers. There was discussion.
Mark shared a draft rack card design. There was discussion. A final design was chosen.
ACTION ITEM: Tanja will get a quote from Printonyx re: printing
Old Military Road Trail (OMRT) Update – Jim McNairy gave an update on signage. OMRT is working the Land Bank on sign designs for Zylstra Lake, Cady Mountain, and Frazer Homestead Preserves. Jim shared an estimate from the designer of $6,248. Land Bank will pay 40% (designer portion); OMRT will pay 60% (illustrator and fabrication) which comes to $3,573.
ACTION ITEM: Jim asked the Trails Committee for approval to request up to $4000 from Island Rec, with a fundraising component, to pay for signage. The Committee gave its support.
San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Update – Tanja Williamson reported a fantastic turn out for the Land Bank’s Beaverton Marsh Trail Open House on March 4. Approximately 70 people attended, all with positive feedback. Land Bank will host another open house update sometime in August. Tanja also shared information about the March Turtleback March, an up and over hike of Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island, scheduled for March 21.
Other Business – Kim Erickson suggested an Up and Over hike of Cady Mountain Preserve.
KYI Walks – Mark noted he’s been in contact with multiple people to lead hikes and it’s been difficult to get commitments from folks. Tentatively booked is a Town of Friday Harbor Walk with Boyd Pratt for September. Tanja will pursue transportation options for an Up and Over Cady Mountain hike for May or June.
Adjourned 1:05 p.m.
The next scheduled meeting is Thursday, April 2, at noon in the Island Rec conference room, located at 580 Guard Street. The public is encouraged to attend.
