Bainbridge park commissioners unanimously decided at a special meeting Wednesday to put forward a bond measure to buy the 22.87-acre Sakai property on Madison Avenue.

Park commissioners discussed the property acquisition after a short, closed-door executive session.

The property is located across from Ordway Elementary.

The park district and the Sakai family have been negotiating the purchase since the summer.

The property has been appraised at $6 million.

The bond measure would be put before the voters in February.

Parks Commissioner Lee Cross said the land was centrally located and an essential piece of property that would provide critical trail connections. It’s also close to schools, the library and the aquatic center.

“This is the last big piece of land inside of Winslow,” she said. “If we’re not able to get this, it’s gone.”

Parks Commissioner Ken DeWitt said the property was the last large undeveloped chunk of land in Winslow.

The exact bond amount may be larger than $6 million, said Parks Commissioner Kirk Robinson, because it would need to include acquisition costs.

The vote was unanimous.

Parks Director Terry Lande also noted the bond vote would be held during the park district’s 50th anniversary.

Parks Commissioner Jay Kinney said the purchase would be a gift to future generations, and it was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up.

“If we don’t get this, people will think it’s a mistake,” Kinney said.

“I’m pretty excited about this,” added Parks Commissioner Tom Swolgaard.