To the editor:

I moved here in 1970 when the only parks with open space with development were state-run Fort Ward and Fay Bainbridge, district-run Strawberry Hill, and Eagledale Park. All free surplus military sites.

We gained another free military site in the early ’70s with Battle Point. Then a nice free piece from the county near Manzanita. Population around 7,000 folks.

Was this enough park land for this small community? I guess not as we hit the hip to purchase the Grand Forest from the DNR. Additional acquisitions soon followed like Gazzam Lake and Pritchard Park with combination of private donations and grants from various tax supported government sources.

Throughout all those years there has always been push-back with the argument that taxes will go up for all because this property is now off the tax roles. I can not argue that, but these parks give back multi-fold in value to all of us as the island grows and Bainbridge will continue to grow in population. Just look, the current population numbers now and rapid new development all around the island.

We have a community that has supported public purchase and given thousands of dollars to the land trust to flesh out many additions to open space, but we need to keep an eye on the big picture as so many green spaces we have taken for granted will fill with business and housing. Sakai is a long-sighted opportunity. Join with me and my wife Willie in supporting the purchase of the Sakai property.

DR. FRED GRIMM

Bainbridge Park Commissioner through the 1970s

Bainbridge Island