To the editor:

It is incredible that this amazing piece of property has become available and that our metropolitan park district has an opportunity to purchase it for every member of our island community to enjoy forever.  It is suitable for both active and passive recreation.

As more and more of the island trees are cut to make way for more stores and shops, it will remain a natural area very close to schools and the commercial areas of our island.

I am confident that when property is acquired, we will each have an opportunity to suggest our ideas for use.

I had the privilege of serving for over eight years as a Bainbridge Island Park Commissioner. During this time I learned just how fiscally responsible this district’s operations are.

Your tax rates will not go up from the current level. A low interest rate, combined with the retirement of the Grand Forest and Gazzam Lake bonds in 2014 and retirement of the aquatic center bonds in 2018, allow the proposed bonds to be structured so taxpayers will see no net increase in their payments for park district bonds.

We already have enough shopping centers on the island! Let’s not allow this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pass. Join me in voting “yes” to acquire this property for a park.

JOANNE CROGHAN

Bainbridge Island