Save The Trails

I had to try. Didn't I? Yes. I had to try to save 40 acres of trees and trails behind my home from being sub-divided and  developed. Those trails linked up with other trails and wrapped around a large portion of the one and only public grade school in our community. It was also the backdrop to the local Shakespeare Troupe. Perhaps because I used those trails myself often, and even walked my children to school through them, I felt a deep love for those trees and trails and thus the energy to do what I could. I spent hours over many months, money, both mine and generous supporters, in an effort to do all that could be done to come up with a viable solution or plan. I contacted so many local groups I can't even recall them all  And there were local supporters and users of those trails that pitched in where they could. Even a visit from our state representative that made the local paper. Many meetings and phone calls later, over a nearly two year period, with the patience of many people, including the land owners, and the hard work, time and effort of the South Whidbey Park and Recreation District in attaining grant funds as well as the voting approval of the local tax payers, those trails are safely in the hands of the Park and Rec. District. These join up with existing Park and Rec. trails as well as with school district owned land and trails that teachers take their students to in order to learn more about the natural world. It was not easy. And although I nearly gave up once, I didn't and I am so grateful I didn't. It really was a win win for our community. And I know I left something of me here on South Whidbey. Which feels pretty darn nice. Name a trail after me?
You can still visit the website I created - no longer needed really, other than as a recording of the effort, at savethetrails.weebly.com.