Sound to Olympics (STO) Sakai Pond Connector Trail

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Project Update

Council members Fantroy-Johnson, Deets and Schneider cut a ribbon November 3 to mark the official opening of the Sakai Connector Trail, as community members, City staff, Parks Foundation staff and board members, and Park District staff and board members gathered around them.  "As a community, we can come (together) to engage each other and work together. Even though this might be a small segment, it’s really transformative," said Dawn Janow, BI Metro Park and Recreation District Commissioner. "We don’t always have to go for the biggest project. We can go step by step by step and make really big changes.”

The trailhead is located at the corner of the High School Road and State Route 305 intersection.  The paved path runs parallel with the highway about 400 feet then turns west to Sakai Park. The segment transitions to a gravel path and wraps around a scenic pond to Madison Avenue and nearby schools.

The project was funded by the City of Bainbridge Island, primarily by the developers of the Wintergreen Walk development on High School Road as a condition of that development. City staff and the Park District are now in the early stages of researching the costs and options for the STO’s next segment.  It will begin where the current pavement ends and head north to the Madison Avenue and SR 305 intersection.

Dedication & Trail Mixer Video


Project Overview

This next segment of the Sound to Olympics Trail is an extension of the existing shared-use trail from the SR305/Winslow Way intersection. The trail segment will pick up at the northeast corner of the High School Road-Highway 305 intersection, with the path running parallel to the highway for about 400 feet and then making a turn west toward Sakai Park. The path will be paved and 10 feet wide and eventually transition down to a 6-foot-wide gravel segment to connect to the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park District trails in the park.

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Contact Us

  1. Peter Corelis


    Project Manager

    Email

    206-842-2016


    Staff Directory


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The alignment for the trail was carefully planned to minimize removal of large trees. To compensate for the removal of 32 trees over an 8-inch diameter, we will plant 192 native trees and 180 native shrubs. Stormwater drainage will be low-impact designed infiltration into existing native soils, maintaining the natural functions within the corridor. 

Project Timeline

The contractor, Liden Land Development, began construction in early June 2021 and should be finished by November 2021.

Status

Week of October 11
Nearly 200 native trees and 180 native shrubs were planted this week along the new trail. Paving is scheduled for the week of October 18th, weather permitting, and then the trail will be opened for public use. Please join us for a Grand Opening celebration on November 3rd at noon. We will gather on the new trail at the northwest corner of the High School Rd/SR305 intersection.  When completed, this segment of the STO trail will provide a convenient connection from the High School Road District at SR305, through the existing trails in Sakai Park, up to Madison Avenue near Ordway School, Commodore Options School, and the Bainbridge Aquatics Center.

Week of October 4
The trail is nearly done! The contractor has delivered the last load of rock for the trail base and they will finish spreading and compacting the rock by early next week. After the base has been completed, they will begin installing nearly 200 native trees and 180 native shrubs along the trail. Paving is scheduled for the week of October 18th, weather permitting.

When completed, this segment of the STO trail will provide a convenient connection from the High School Road District at SR305, through the existing trails in Sakai Park, up to Madison Avenue near Ordway School, Commodore Options School, and the Bainbridge Aquatics Center.

What is the STO?

The Sound to Olympics Trail (STO for short) is a regional trail crossing Kitsap County. It will connect the trails of the Mountains to Sound Greenway - across Puget Sound - via both the Bainbridge and Kingston ferries - with the Olympic Discovery Trail beyond the Hood Canal Bridge.

The STO is intended to be a family- friendly facility, and one that provides more room for people with disabilities. Walkers, cyclists preferring a more leisurely pace, and people using strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility aid devices will benefit from this paved, shared-use path. 

  1. Frequently Asked Questions
  2. What is the Sound to Olympics Trail? Where will it go on Bainbridge?
  3. Who is the trail intended for? Won’t it mainly serve people who live off the island?
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RELATED DOCUMENTS

  1. CIP Budget Summary Sheet
  2. Vision-FAQs for Sound to Olympics Trail_2021-05-19
  1. March 2014 - Hearing Examiner Decision
  2. Summer 2015 - Based on Comprehensive Plan Discussions,
  3. Fall 2015 - PW Staff Prepares Conceptual Trail Alignment on West Side
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Budget

This City’s Capital Improvement Plan includes $269K (including staff project management costs) for this project.  Approximately $155K was contributed to the City via a developer contribution associated with the property on the northeast side of the SR305 and High School Road intersection.


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The Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation brought in a 100-goat herd from Vashon Island and set up on the site of the trail from May 12 thru 18. 

The goats provided cute and eco-friendly vegetation removal before trail construction begins.

See link below for "Goats at Work" clearing the way for the Sakai Pond Connector:https://biparksfoundation.org/project-highlights/sto/



Title VI Notice

The City of Bainbridge Island fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statues in all programs and activities.  Language services are available upon request. Those requiring disability accommodations and/or materials made available in alternate formats, please contact the City Clerk at 206.842.2545 or or cityclerk@bainbridgewa.gov.