BY RECORD STAFF

Visitors to the Trillium Community Forest can now park their vehicles on a new lot built to provide more parking adjacent to the existing public access point, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust announced.

“This is a fantastic upgrade of the community’s access. Thanks to the land trust for its continuing stewardship of the Community Forest,” said Bill Oakes, Island County Parks and Public Works director.

The new 14-vehicle lot replaces a four-vehicle parking area and will be available for public use during daylight hours only. The parking area is located at Pacific Dogwood Lane and Highway 525 on the northeastern corner of the 654-acre Community Forest. According to Pat Powell, Land Trust executive director, the access road leading to the new lot was designed to fit into the existing landscape as well as limit tree removal.

“As the weather improves, we believe more people will want to use the Community Forest’s wonderful trails for walking and biking,” Powell said. “We built this parking lot to allow the public more access so they can enjoy what they have helped to save.”

Due to highway safety concerns, the new parking area will not be open to horse trailers or vehicles over 22 feet in length.

“Future plans call for raising funds to acquire a property on Smugglers Cove Road to create another parking area that will accommodate horse trailers,” Powell said. “It is a high priority to find an appropriate place for equestrians to access the Community Forest.”

The Trillium Community Forest, the largest remaining contiguously-owned forest on Whidbey Island, was acquired by the Land Trust in late 2010 after a successful community fundraising effort. It is open during daylight hours for hikers, bikers and equestrians. Dogs must be kept on leash. An off-leash dog area is located just a few miles north at Greenbank Farm.

Visit www.wclt.org to learn more about the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, the Trillium Community Forest and other important lands protected, cared for and restored by the land trust.