A series of changes were recently approved for trails managed by the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District.

During a board of commissioners meeting Wednesday night, the commissioners agreed to relocate a path that is part of the Community Park network of trails.

The path is currently behind the parks and recreation district building and is prone to flooding during the rainy winter season.

Executive Director Doug Coutts said he went out in “ankle-deep” water to assess the trail. It has been forced to close during the winter months, but a different route would allow it to be open year-round.

The new trail would be uphill from the existing one and would be about 350 feet long.

The board unanimously approved the relocation.

The commissioners were divided, however, on a proposed plan that would create a switchback trail on the Trustland Trails.

Coutts explained in an interview that a South Whidbey resident brought it to the board’s attention that there could be a potential hazard on one of the trails because it has a steeper slope than the rest of the trail.

Creating a switchback trail would allow a more gentle access point for concerned hikers.

Coutts presented two options to the board at the meeting. Parks and rec staff could build the switchback, making it the same width as the other Trustland Trails. Or, volunteers who are part of a new trail stewards program could create a single-track trail.

The latter option, Coutts indicated, would likely take more time to complete.

Commissioners Matt Simms and Erik Jokinen both agreed they would prefer staff to build the switchback, as opposed to trail stewards.

Simms suggested the single-track trails could be tried on another property.

Josh Coleman, another commissioner, agreed with them but Commissioners Krista Loercher and Jennifer Cox did not.

Loercher argued that the single-track trail would be a good pilot project to try out for the Trustland Trails, which have multiple access points. Cox concurred, pointing out that the switchback would just be one segment of the network of trails.

Ultimately the board decided against the single-track trail in a 3-2 vote.

A new naming scheme was also approved for the Trustland Trails, with names such as Serenity Loop, Alder Alley and Conifer Connector.