CKHS students help expand Clear Creek Trail

The biting wind and threat of rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Central Kitsap High School students Thursday.

Eighty-five CKHS students worked together to extend Clear Creak Trail Thursday morning. Students added 600 feet just north of All Star Lanes and Casino in Silverdale. Students also planted trees, picked up trash and cleared Scotch broom along Northwest Silverdale Way.

“It’s just such a pleasure to see this,” said Marie Crumb, CKHS science teacher. “It’s really lots of fun.”

This is the 14th year Crumb has brought her science students, who receive lab credit for their work.

“It’s amazing to see the kids grow up and be socially responsible,” Crumb said.

Students laid 60 tons of gravel to form the new portion of the trail alongside the Clear Creek ponds created by Public Works as part of its flood control initiatives.

“It’s been a marvelous program to keep going this long,” said Randy Peterson, Clear Creek Task Force member. “The kids have laid a lot of trail.”

For many students, this was their first time working the trail. CKHS junior Mitchell Aguila has looked forward to the project all year.

“It’s definitely worth it and amazing to see people doing this,” Aguila said. “We’re making the trail longer and better.”

CKHS senior Kelsi Alcott worked on the trail last year and was delighted to help out once again.

“It’s fun to come and build part of it,” Alcott said. “By the time it’s finished it’ll be really useful for people.”

Clear Creek Task Force Co-Chair Tex Lewis enjoys working with young people and showing them the benefits of the trail.

“Youth involvement is one of the main reasons we kept this thing going,” Lewis said. “I’ve seen a lot of great kids involved with the trail.”

County Parks, Public Works the Silverdale Water District and Kiwanis Club provided tools and volunteers to help the students with the project. Taco Bell of Silverdale provided lunch for the students and adults.

“The trail hopefully is a permanent part of the community,” Crumb said. “The kids can take ownership of that.”

Central Kitsap School District Superintendent Greg Lynch stopped by the site to show his support.

“It’s wonderful for the students to provide community service to Silverdale,” Lynch said. “It’s fun to see the trail progress over the years.”

Lewis hopes to continue extending Clear Creek Trail for the community to enjoy.

“Silverdale is thought to be a commercial place, but we have many beautiful areas people would enjoy,” Lewis said.

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