Importance of Natural Recreation
The residents of Kitsap County place a high value on natural recreation, such as hiking on trails, bird watching, and respectfully enjoying the habitat of wildlife. This should be reflected as a high priority in the Park’s Capital Improvement Plan and goals. This will provide funding for pedestrian-only trails, critical area and habitat protection (elevated boardwalks, bridges, and wildlife-viewing stations), needed to support natural recreation and harmony with other forms of life.
Supporting Information
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- Nearly 1500 people responded that their most used recreation facilities were “nature trails, open space, natural habitats,” according to the draft PROS Plan (p. 58).
- The Kitsap County Rural and Resource Lands Community Survey stated that:
- 87% of respondents believe maintaining Kitsap County’s rural look and feel is important.
- 82% support policies to protect rural open spaces, agricultural land, and scenic areas.
- Natural recreation areas need specific low-impact trails that conserve the natural environment, provide habitat protection, and sustain biodiversity.
Benefits of Natural Recreation
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- Physical and mental health improve from walking through an area with trees, plants, and natural sounds.
- The Unexpected Health Benefits of Forest Bathing (Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, October 3, 2023)
- Green space may improve young children’s health (NIH.gov, April 30, 2024)r
- Nurtured by Nature (American Psychology Association, April 8, 2025)
- Physical and mental health improve from walking through an area with trees, plants, and natural sounds.
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- Natural areas and green spaces reduce healthcare costs.
- Living Near Nature is Linked to Lower Healthcare Costs (National Wildlife Federation, 10/27/2022 )
- Natural areas need to provide a quiet place for peace and reflection.
- Shared-use trails put safety and peace of mind at risk.
- Being constantly on alert for fast-moving machines such as bicycles is stressful.
- Natural areas destress and provide exercise without a gym membership.
- There are groups in Kitsap County that specifically go out to the parks for this Natural experience. Some of the groups include Kitsap Audubon, Kitsap County Native Plants, Monday Hikers Group, as well as individuals with autism.
- Dollars and sense: the economic benefits of community green spaces (Trust for Public Land, January 16, 2024)
- Natural areas and green spaces reduce healthcare costs.
Why this is important to Kitsap County
Residents and visitors need natural areas for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.