For years, everyone took the path between Koura Road and Yukio Lane for granted as a public trail. 

Trouble was, it wasn’t. It was a driveway to a neighboring home – popular perhaps, and once a farm road for the Koura strawberry farm and historic barn nearby, but still technically private. 

Meadowmeer-area resident John Nilssen used the route pretty much every day to walk his dog, one among a regular procession of runners, walkers, bike riders and stroller-pushers, many using the path to reach Mandus Olson Road and Grand Forest East.

“I didn’t have a problem with it,” Nillsen said, as his dog tugged on the lead toward points north, “but if I was the homeowner, I might.” 

Then private and public interests aligned. 

Working with the Parks Foundation, new homeowners Mark and Catherine Anderson granted a 5-foot easement at the west edge of their driveway, allowing construction of a safe, public-access trail alongside.

The driveway was shifted several feet to the east, with a new split-rail fence for separation. 

The Koura-Yukio Trail debuted this month. Signs denoting public access on the trail side of the fence are planned, with the path restricted to non-motorized uses. 

Whitworth Construction of Poulsbo built the compacted-gravel driveway and trail. Fencing was built by Heritage Landscaping, Fence & Deck Company.

While probably not widely known outside the immediate area – tiny Yukio Lane is itself a spur of Bayhill Road, east of Miller – the new trail is a key pedestrian link for several neighborhoods. 

“It’s a great way to walk or bike to Grand Forest from the neighborhoods to the north, and so many people use it as such,” said Barb Trafton, Parks Foundation Projects Director. “Building a dedicated public trail makes it safer for everyone, and protects the interests of the homeowners as they use their driveway. 

“We’re grateful to the Andersons for granting the easement, and providing a permanent public trail that will be maintained by our friends at Bainbridge Metro Parks.” 

Planning, permitting and construction were paid for through the Parks Foundation’s dedicated Trails Fund. It’s one of a number of trail improvements the Foundation has planned this year in partnership with the Park District.

GET INVOLVED: The Parks Foundation and Bainbridge Metro Parks will host volunteer work party at the new Koura-Yukio Trail, 3-5 p.m. Thursday, July 8. We’ll be cleaning up the trailside and spreading mulch in advance of plantings. Signups will be announced soon.

Trail Work Party – Koura to Yukio Trail

When: Thursday, July 8, 3-5 p.m.
Where: Koura to Yukio Trail, parking on the shoulder along Koura Road. Be careful when entering and exiting vehicles.
Be Prepared: Please wear sturdy, close-toed shoes, long pants and work gloves. Also bring your own water bottle, if you’d like one. The Park District will provide any (sanitized) tools volunteers will need; feel free to bring your favorite.
Pre-Register: Click here. Registration is required!
Volunteers Under 18: All volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian who can sign them into the event, or if not accompanied by an adult, they must bring a signed Parent Authorization Form with them.
COVID safety protocols will be in effect. 
• All participants must pre-register.
• If proof of full vaccination is provided, masks are not required. Proof of vaccination is a vaccination card or photo of a vaccination card provided to District staff at the start of the event.
• All participants must respond to a COVID-19 Questionnaire prior to participating in the event, and follow all COVID-related guidelines given by Bainbridge Metro Parks staff.
If you have any questions, please email the Park District’s Trails Coordinator, Sean Smith Sell. Seans@biparks.org