PARKS MISSION

The Kitsap County Parks Department is committed to providing quality-of-life enhancing opportunities through the management of natural areas and specialized facilities, fostering community stewardship, and offering an outstanding service-oriented environment.

PARK NEWS & UPDATES

Parks and Recreation Open Space (P.R.O.S.) Plan

The Kitsap County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan 2024 will serve as the implementation guide and strategic plan for managing and enhancing the County's park and recreation services while ensuring that the County remains eligible for state outdoor recreation funding. We believe that every corner of our County deserves to be embraced by nature's beauty, and that's why we have developed the Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan, lovingly known as the PROS Plan. This visionary blueprint will shape the future of our parks and guide us toward creating an even more enriching environment for you, your family, and future generations to come.

The PROS Plan will identify the current inventory and condition of the parks system and propose updates to service standards for parks and trails. It will address goals, objectives, and other management considerations to continue providing quality recreation opportunities that will benefit Kitsap County residents and visitors. A critical element to the plan's success is the input from Kitsap County residents to describe their desired quality of life to the parks staff and planning team.

VISIT OUR PROS PLAN PAGE TO LEARN MORE

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Horseshoe Lake County Park

Horseshoe Lake County Park will reopen to the public on Friday, July 26. However, the cyanobacteria warning for Horseshoe Lake remains in effect. The public is advised to avoid all contact with water in Horseshoe Lake. 
 
The Kitsap Public Health District issued a cyanobacteria warning for Horseshoe Lake. The public is advised to avoid all contact with the water due to the presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. While not all blooms are toxic, the cyanobacteria present in Horseshoe Lake are known to produce toxins.
 
Stay safe and learn more: https://lnks.gd/2/2wH3rZN

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Point No Point Park 

Parking

The main parking lot at Point No Point Park remains closed due to the significant damage caused by the past winter storms. However, we have good news to share.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) parking lot located on Point No Point Road is open for the summer season. In addition to the normal use the parking lot provides and until Point No Point Park is open again to vehicular access, the WDFW parking lot may also serve as a location from which visitors may park and walk to Point No Point Park. A Discover Pass will be required to park in the WDFW parking lot. Passes can be purchased online and in person. For more information, please visit https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/parking.

We remind visitors about the following:

The main parking lot at point no point park is closed. However, the park is open to pedestrian traffic. Please walk to the park by following the road indicated on the map.

Beach and tidelands on both sides of the WDFW access area are privately owned respect the privacy and property of adjoining property owners.

No stopping or loitering on private tidelands for any reason.

Exercise caution as vehicles may be entering/leaving the area.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PARKING MAP


Project Update - April 2, 2024

We are excited to provide you with an update on the Point No Point Park beach and shoreline repair project, which aims to repair the damages caused during the 2022/2023 Winter season. We want to share these updates with you as they provide valuable information about the project and the steps we are taking to repair and fully open the park to visitors.

Phase 1: Repairs - COMPLETED
We are happy to announce that Phase 1 of the repair project that included importing sand and rock materials to the north beach to bring the elevations back to pre-storm levels is complete.  

Phase 2: Improvements
Phase 2 of the repair work represents a larger project that is intended to improve the beach and shoreline beyond current and pre-storm conditions.  Phase 2 will add additional material to increase the beach elevation further, plant native vegetation to provide increased soil stability, and rebuild the rock revetment wall in front of the lighthouse.  This work is not yet permitted but targeted to take place in 2024 once permits have been approved.  For the Phase 2 work, we are continuing to collaborate closely with the regulatory agencies responsible for permitting work within the shoreline environment; this includes Kitsap County's Department of Community Development, the State of Washington's Department of Ecology, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the US Coast Guard and US Army Corps of Engineers, and the local Tribes. Initial design concepts for Phase 2 of the project have been reviewed and supported by these agencies, and permitting from these agencies is in process.

Limited Park Access
Until Phase 2 is complete, the super-sack sandbag wall will remain in place to provide enhanced protection from storms and high tidal fluctuations on the north beach.  However, because this reduces the ingress/egress road to the Point No Point parking lot to a width that cannot accommodate two vehicles passing each other and creates emergency vehicle access issues, the entrance road and parking lot will remain closed to the public until the super-sack sandbag wall has been removed.  

The WDFW parking lot is currently open with additional parking in the small overflow lot outside of the WDFW parking lot (880ft..0.15mi. via paved road to park entrance) and at the trailhead on Thors Road (2,500ft./0.50mi. via dirt trail to beach stairs).

When visiting the park, we remind visitors about the following:

• Beach and tidelands on both sides of the WDFW access area are privately owned
• Respect the privacy and property of adjoining property owners
• No stopping or loitering on private tidelands for any reason
• Exercise caution as vehicles may be entering/leaving the area

We encourage you to contact Kitsap County Parks Staff if you have any questions or would like further information about the project and the ongoing work. We appreciate your interest and support in the repair work at Point No Point Park.

For updates on this project, please visit: https://www.kitsapgov.com/parks/Pages/PointNoPointPark.aspx

For questions or more information, please email Parks@Kitsap.gov.

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Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park

Restorative Selective Forest Thinning

Trail sections will be CLOSED PERIODICALLY effective immediately until further notice, due to Restorative Selective Forest Thinning operations underway (see map). Closures are in accordance with active work and may change day by day. Please adhere to trail closure signs for your own safety.

IMPACTED TRAILS: G1210 & Secret Squirrel

Click here to view map

• Stay at least 300' away from active logging equipment

• Please exercise caution when entering the park through Bayview Trailhead on weekdays between the hours of 4am and 4pm

• Large trucks will haul logs on the G1300 and G1000 leaving the park using the Bayview gate/trailhead three to four times daily

• Forest thinning is one of many forest restoration tools. Thinning selectively removes a portion of the trees in a densely packed forest to open the canopy. More sunlight will reach the forest floor to facilitate diverse understory plant communities and provide better wildlife habitat. The thinned forest will be set up to grow and develop towards a more diverse and natural ecosystem

• For more information, please visit www.kitsapgov.com/parks or e-mail parks@kitsap.gov


Stottlemeyer Trailhead:

We are thrilled to announce a significant enhancement for all nature lovers and adventure seekers visiting Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. We proudly introduce the Stottlemeyer Trailhead—a perfect gateway to your next outdoor escapade!

Ample Parking Space:

Spanning across a generous 1.20 acres, the Stottlemeyer Trailhead offers a spacious and convenient parking solution for all our visitors. Featuring 25 standard stalls, ADA-accessible spaces, and five pull-through spaces, we ensure everyone can embark on their forest journey comfortably and efficiently.

Equestrian Trailer-Friendly Access:

For those traveling with more extensive equipment, our five pull-through stalls are designed explicitly for equestrian trailers, providing a hassle-free experience for horseback riders.

Gateway to Adventure:

As you step out of your vehicle, you'll be greeted by the beauty of Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park. The Stottlemeyer Trailhead serves as the perfect starting point for numerous hiking trails and nature paths, inviting you to explore the region's diverse flora and fauna.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker, a family looking for a day of outdoor fun, or someone seeking a peaceful escape into nature, the Stottlemeyer Trailhead welcomes you to embark on your next unforgettable journey. Discover the wonders of Port Gamble Forest Heritage Park with improved convenience, and access at the forefront of your experience.

Special Thanks:

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all involved in making this project a reality, especially the Washington Trails Association (WTA) for connecting this new trailhead to the vast trail network in the park. Your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. See you at the trailhead!

Parks Office


Director: Alex Wisniewski

Office Hours: 

Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
(closed 12 - 1 p.m. and Weekends/Holidays)

Phone:  360-337-5350
Email: parks@kitsap.gov

Office Location: 
1195 NW Fairgrounds Rd,
Bremerton, WA 98311

Mailing Address: 
614 Division St MS-1,
Port Orchard, WA 98366

  Kitsap County Parks Office

Parks Advisory Board

The Parks Advisory Board meets at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month at the Eagles Nest of the Kitsap County Fairgrounds and online via Zoom.
Find more information on the Parks Advisory Board website.


Upcoming Parks Advisory Board meeting:
Wednesday, July 17 • 6:00 - 8:00pm.
NOTE: The July 17 meeting will be hosted online via ZOOM only.
 

AGENDA PACKET (JULY)


CLICK HERE TO ATTEND ONLINE


Kitsap County Parks Foundation

​The Kitsap County Parks Foundation provides an opportunity for those interested in donating money towards the betterment of the County parks. Donations, either general or project specific, will help improve the quality of your parks and enhance visitor experiences.

Thank you for considering a donation to the Kitsap County Parks Foundation. If you wish to support the parks in other ways please visit the volunteer link to see what opportunities may be available.