I have been following the ongoing debate regarding the proposed waterfront trail in front of the condos and homes at Windjammer Park. I would like to begin by strenuously protesting this trail. It is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money. In Saturday’s article, it was stated that the trail ends at the condos and does not go through to Flintstone Park. This is just not true. The existing Windjammer Park trail does, in fact, continue alongside the ball fields, without interruption, and connects with the very same sidewalk with which the proposed trail connects and continues to the marina. In addition to the cost of the construction of the trail, there will be the continued maintenance. Two years ago when a strong windstorm blew in, the huge concrete blocks holding the lagoon bridge were literally moved by the force of the tidal surge. Do you seriously think a small platform trail is going to be able to withstand these forces? I doubt it.

Regarding the ecosystem, the homeowner quoted in the article is correct. Mother Nature has her ways of helping to prevent receding shorelines, i.e. driftwood, vegetation, etc. We have no business messing with an already fragile ecosystem.

As to the privacy issues of the condo and homeowners, I fully support their protests. I’m guessing that if people were to start parading in front of, and staring into, the front windows of the homes of the folks who voted for this, these folks would be singing a different tune.

I’m all for improving Oak Harbor’s image and working on a cohesive plan to better the town, but please, especially in light of this very fragile economy, as our appointed and elected officials, use our tax dollars in a more responsible manner. Why not put these dollars toward the already existing parks for maintenance and not toward an irresponsible “trail to nowhere” that is not even needed?

I will not use this trail out of respect for the private home owners. and I would encourage all responsible Oak Harbor citizens to follow suit. Even if the city won’t respect their taxpaying citizens’ privacy, I will.

Anne Sanders

Oak Harbor