The Kachemak Bay Water Trail (KBWT) is a proposed 125-mile water trail that inspires exploration, understanding, and stewardship of the natural treasure that is Kachemak Bay. The trail will provide a safe, logical route for boaters to explore the bay from Homer, northeast to the head of the bay, and back to Seldovia, weaving into inlets and around islands. The KBWT is in the second year of planning. When completed, the trail will include shoreline amenities such as launch sites, overnight lodging opportunities, camping areas, hiking trails, educational and interpretive signs, and etc.
The Kachemak Bay Water Trail
ASLA Alaska Chapter members Jonny Hayes and Mark Kimerer have been actively engaged in this project from its inception, working in tandem with the KBWT Steering Committee, the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and the City of Homer. Jonny and Mark began the trail branding process by working with a special committee to facilitate and generate logo concepts for consideration by the Kachemak Bay Water Trail. The pair worked with the committee during the process to refine the selected concept and produce a final logo that has been used extensively to promote the water trail vision and that will serve as a basis to help guide future marketing efforts. Jonny and Mark have continued to lend their expertise to assist the Steering Committee to identify water trail branding options, develop a site inventory review form, evaluate potential launch sites and prepare an RFP for the design/build of a water trail website.
Project logo
In April, Jonny will be leading a planning and programming design charrette with key stakeholders and the City of Homer to begin the site design and permitting of the Kachemak Bay Water Trail launch site in Homer, with a similar effort to take place in Seldovia at a later date.
Photos & story via Heather Rice, NPS-RTCA & Jonny Hayes, ASLA
