Planning began for our park district’s 50th “Birthday Bash” over six months ago.
Saturday, Aug. 29, seemed a good choice. It rarely rains. A grand celebration was in order. We love our parks! So does Virginia Mason, exclusive sponsors for this free public event!
It was fitting to celebrate our district’s 50th at Battle Point, where we transformed “guns into plow shares” — a once barren radio station landscape into a beautiful popular park.
With six months of record-setting heat and much of our state ablaze, we were ready to celebrate — even in a predicted downpour. Thursday’s wind mph forecast of SSW 17 grew on Friday to S 23 and then S 15-30 “with higher gusts.” Saturday became “… gusts to 50”!
Our district team prepared diligently as sun turned to rain. Dozens of picnic benches, show-cased part equipment, the grand stage, sound system, food concessions, Porta-Potties, tables and chairs for a permitted beer garden and VIPs, a well-anchored “community center” tent were set up plus dozens of smaller shelters for booths, children’s crafts and community activities were “anchored” to the grounds.
The island’s strongest buildings, with foot-thick concrete walls from World War II, needed no anchors.
In the Helix Building, once near the base of the Navy’s 820-foot-tall (!) radio transmitter tower and now home to the Battle Point Astronomical Association’s Observatory, astronomers hosted talks. It was the backdrop for the amphitheater’s great stage. The Transmitter Building to the north gave secure shelter to energetic kids’ gymnastic play. Music and cheerleaders filled the morning stage. The historical society’s Dan Groff recorded interviews as guests arrived. The “Bainbridge Spirit” would not be dampened!
Soon it was like a society or BHS alumni old-timers’ reunion. The amphitheater north of the observatory filled with music, longtime park supporters, former commissioners and revelers of all ages. North of amphitheater’s berm and protected from the heaviest wind, kids and parents had a ball with craft projects and music making. Few used a “Splash Project” wading pool envisioned for a sunny day.
As tall trees swayed and leaves and branches flew in a growing gale, former commissioner Walt Ball recalled the weekend he and two commissioners planted 83 trees here — a gift of the Seattle Arboretum. Many former commissioners attended. Folks livened in the growing wind’s energy, hugging and greeting old friends. After all, in the caring history of creating parks and programs, everyone is a VIP!
A 1 p.m. presentation was scheduled to introduce guests. The first Park Director Larry Burris sent congratulations from California. Former Director Chuck Field greeted colleagues. The district’s longest serving employee, whose name adorns the park’s maintenance center, Jack O’Neil, may have been lost in the large crowd.
Then…
Pow! At 1 p.m., it hit — the first “50 mph gust” — or was it more?
A Porta-Potty capsized, hitting a car. No one was inside either.
Then — twice! — a whole wall of portable outhouses toppled that were in a row perpendicular to the wind.
Next to the empty beer garden, gusts rocked a table of appetizers. Two tables with six large birthday cakes weren’t as lucky. One blew over spilling cakes onto the ground. They were rescued and hurried onto observatory lobby tables.
Booths in the amphitheater were quickly dismantled and exhibits protected. A signboard went flying. Its event schedule blew off revealing a sign underneath: “Closed for Repairs.” Simultaneously, a safety decision was made by parks director Terry Lande to cancel the event and secure everything.
Sheltered children’s activities continued as volunteers held the tents down safely. As electricity flickered, graceful swing dancers carried on as scheduled using music from a mobile device. As some scurried, dancers calmly flowed across the lawn.
No need to panic, after all. This was an anniversary party. The cleanup became an efficient celebratory dance.
Cajun fiddler Tami Allen was relieved. There’d be no afternoon music. As harbormaster, she sighed, “I’ve gotta hurry back to the harbor. Boats are having mooring troubles!”
For an hour, elders huddled at the observatory for nostalgia. Folks of all ages gathered for cake. Park crews efficiently led folks in disassembling their remarkable hard work. Steve Ruhl and Battle Point Astronomical Association members were terrific hosts.
A “History Hike” shared stories of the West Coast’s once tallest 820-foot-tall transmitter tower. It began in the observatory and ventured outside when rain ceased.
The hike evoked memories of the historic radio station’s role during World War II and in Nevil Shute’s classic novel and film, “On The Beach.” By 4 p.m., the observatory’s new sundial could smile the time, the amphitheater was empty and the park welcomed soccer players, joggers, dog walkers and children at play.
At a centennial 50 years hence, someone who experienced this birthday bash will recall, “You should have been at the 50th! That was one to remember!”
We’ve been blessed to evolve with separate municipal governance and funding for parks, with visionaries who foresaw their values, staff and volunteers who helped make the dreams come true.
This was one of our district’s shining hours as people united to overcome adversity. Some Puget Sound gusts were confirmed at 60 to 80 mph on the coast. Elsewhere, fairs and festivals were thrashed. Two people died in this storm — one in Federal Way, another in Gig Harbor.
Aug. 29 was another anniversary — the 10th of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Mario Tama, a photographer inspired by the people there at that time, noted Saturday that “the faith of their roots and history” sustained them.
We’ve plenty for which to be thankful.
