Developing a plan for 200 acres of forestland is a big project.

But the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District will get a little help from the experts at the National Park Service to design a plan for the district’s newest property acquisition, expected sometime later this year.

Known as the Upper Maxwelton property, the 200 acres includes a mature forest and trails at the headwaters of Maxwelton Creek, one of only three salmon streams in all of Island County.

The heavily forested site — behind the House of Prayer near Coles Road and Highway 525 — will more than double Parks property from 120 acres to 320. Divided by Highway 525 with 160 acres on the south side and 40 acres on the north side between Coles and Crawford Roads, it will be added to South Whidbey Park and Recreation District through the state Trust Land program.

The grant of technical assistance from the feds will explore the conservation and recreation potential of the land.

“The award comes at an opportune moment for the future planning of this site,” said Art Burke, director of the parks district.

The technical assistance grant begins immediately and lasts for one year and may be renewed for an additional year if warranted.

The National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program assists local communities, at their request, with their efforts to conserve natural resources and cultural heritage and provide opportunities for close-to-home recreation.

A survey conducted last fall by the parks district found that the majority of the 4,000 South Whidbey residents surveyed place a high priority on the acquisition of natural areas similar to the Upper Maxwelton Valley land.

“In addition, almost 80 percent of respondents indicated that they would support the development of environmental and nature related facilities and programs,” Burke said.

The parks district has anxiously awaited the land transfer.

It is scheduled to be turned over to the parks district later this year as a part of the Department of Natural Resources’ Trust Land Transfer Program. The Upper Maxwelton Valley land is one of six properties in Island County scheduled for transfer during the 2005-2007 biennium.