Guemes Island Ferry Trail

 Vision

Safety - The Guemes Island Ferry Trail (GIFT) will provide a safe path for increasing numbers of pedestrians and bicycles along Guemes Island Road between the ferry dock and Schoolhouse Park. It will protect the safety (and sanity) of the increasing number of drivers who must navigate this growing non-motorized crowd. The trail will shift bicycle and pedestrian traffic off the road and onto the trail, thereby improving the safety and overall island experience of all. 

While safety is first and foremost, the trail will provide the following additional benefits:

• Health - Opportunity for physical activity/exercise

• Transportation - Safe, affordable, non-motorized; may eliminate some cars from the road

• Environment - Provides a connection to the natural environment; fewer cars, fewer vehicle emissions

• Community - Connects several Guemes Island social venues (Store, Church, Library, Community Hall, Park, etc), providing community engagement opportunities 

We envision events connecting our community hall with the park and the amenities there (stage, playground, pavilion,  basketball courts, tennis/ pickleball courts, softball diamond, etc) and want to make walking or bicycling instead of driving between the two locations possible. 

As ferry fares increase for cars, we anticipate a growing number of people walking or bicycling onto the ferry and around the island. We continue to see increasing interest in walking or bicycling for health and pleasure.

The project will be addressed in two phases:

• Phase 1 From South Shore Road at the Ferry Dock to the "Community Campus" (Church, Labyrinth, Library, and Community Hall).

• Phase 2 From the Community Hall parking lot northward to Schoolhouse Park.

 Over-The-Top Funding Announcement! 

You may recall that GIFT was tasked by Skagit County with a Phase 1 funding match of $70,000, based on a preliminary County construction estimate.

Nine short months ago, we had just crossed the 50% Phase 1 funding milestone.

Thanks to your generous donations, we have now achieved our Phase 1 funding goal.

Thank you!!!