They say heaven is a place on earth

For Marilyn and Leon Leslie of Silverdale, the new paved Clear Creek Bike Trail is “heaven on earth.”

The new 10-foot-wide trail is 1.4 miles long and stretches from Silverdale Rotary Gateway Park on Silverdale Way to Trigger Avenue. The Leslies have biked the trail often and helped to celebrate the official opening on Wednesday.

“It’s the best place for us to ride in the whole world, we don’t have to worry about cars,” Marilyn Leslie said.

She has multiple sclerosis and will often cruise with her husband on a recumbent bike. The paved surface makes it easier for them to ride and provides them with a feeling of safety. Mary Earl of Silverdale also enjoys the safety and tranquility of the new trail.

“It’s peaceful, rural and safe,” she said. “I practically killed myself coming here on Silverdale Way. We need more of these trails.”

And more trails is exactly what Clear Creek Task Force member Tex Lewis would like to see.

“It’s a beginning, we want more bike trails, more walking trails and make it a more livable community,” Lewis said. “It’s a tremendous example of what can happen if a bunch of people work together. This was a community project.”

He says he would like to see a hiking and biking trail from Rotary Gateway Park up to Ridgetop Boulevard.

“We’re moving with it, we’ve already done some very preliminary planning,” Lewis said.

The new trail, which connects to nearly five miles of the existing dirt and gravel trail, was funded by a $947,000 grant by the Federal Transportation Enhancement Program.

“I’m really happy that we’ve added a nice asset to the community,” Lewis said.

He added that not only is it perfect for bicyclist or pedestrians, but it’s also a place where parents can teach their children to ride.

Ruth Morley, who first came to Kitsap in 1929, and Poulsbo resident Laura Kornelis attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday “just for fun.”

“It’s a great draw for people of Seattle who think the Burke-Gilman trail is the best,” Kornelis said.

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