Photo credit: John Bilderback

North Shore Community Land Trust has partnered with the National Park Service to develop a trails concept that would allow residents and visitors to understand the connection of the North Shore’s cultural, historic, and recreational areas through a trails and path system. The trails project would help preserve areas, tell important stories, and provide an experience that enables people to enjoy the natural surroundings. In April of 2015 North Shore Community Land Trust and the National Park Service took the first step towards developing a concept plan with various landowners and government agencies that showcases the opportunities that a trail system could provide to both the local community and visitors alike. North Shore Community Land Trust and the National Park Service hosted a two-day design workshop that began to explore real possibilities for a connected trails system that can improve access, connections throughout the area, and address unsustainable transportation options for residents and visitors alike. The workshop included a day of field trips to various sites that could be considered for the trails location, the second day of the workshop focused on developing potential trail pathways and visual illustrations of the trail systems. The trails system that was discussed during the workshop focused on connecting existing bike paths, recreation areas, trails, city and county parks, cultural preserves, and beach access ways. Most importantly this trails system has the potential to connect the communities of the North Shore of Oʻahu and could provide added benefits that reduce traffic congestion and better manage and protect the vast number of important resources within the area.

Photo credit: John Bilderback