Runners, walkers and commuters who frequent trails in the Port of Skagit County could soon have more routes in which to explore.

Port Commissioners got an update last week from staff regarding the future growth of the port’s trail system. Future additions could include connecting existing trails throughout the system and adding a paved wheelchair pathway if port officials receive state money to fund the improvements.

Port officials have applied for a $90,000 Washington State Department of Transportation grant to help alleviate costs.

The grant would cover two main projects, with the most costly being a 1.24-mile asphalt trail from the north parking lot near Josh Wilson Road southeast to Peterson Road.

A paved route in the area would increase access for the elderly, handicapped users and residents with families, said Sara Young, manager of planning and environmental services at the port.

“We’d like to make our trails more accessible to all port users,” she said in an interview.

The bulk of the grant — about $74,500 — would go toward paving the asphalt section.

The grant could also connect the current Ovenell Road trail on the southern boundary to the Sargent Place trail to the northwest.

“It would basically finish a loop that had been started a couple of years ago,” Young said.

The port would need to fund an additional $10,000 to complete the projects if it receives the grant, which will be announced in June 2009.

Port officials discussed the proposal with Port Commissioners Aug. 12, and Young said they were generally supportive of the idea.

Commissioner Glenn Allen said in an interview that usage of trails has increased since their construction in 2000.

“The employees that work up there use it, a lot of walkers, runners and bikers use it,” Allen said. “If we don’t have the money to do (the improvements) all in one fatal swoop, we can do it incrementally.”

Bow resident Jim Shoop, who was walking along the trail last week, said he would be supportive of the port creating more trails.

“This is one of my favorite spots,” said Shoop, who walks on the trails about four or five times per week.

He said he sees a number of port employees utilizing the trails during breaks, and said the port should look into creating additional parking areas.

Young said the port receives a lot of community input about the trail system during meetings with the commissioners and with the Trail Advisory Group. The committee has met once or twice per year since the trails were built.

No parking plans are in the works, but Young said there are a number of other options the port is considering.

In the future, port officials said they would like to add more forested trail segments and possibly add a picnic and sitting area south of Pederson Road.

Officials are also considering improving access to the port from Bay View to the west and from Highway 20 to the south, according to a memo from the Port.

All projects are contingent on funding, Allen said.

“It does cost money and capital, and right now we have four buildings and two parking lots being worked on,” Allen said. “Our pockets are only so deep.”