The city of Bainbridge Island’s Eagle Harbor Waterfront Park was recently honored as one of the state’s top gathering spaces that adds value to the community.
The Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Planning Association of Washington named Waterfront Park one of four “Great Places in Washington.”
“Waterfront Park is one of the most important civic and social outdoor gathering places for Bainbridge Island residents and visitors,” said Engineering Project Manager Mark Epstein, who accepted the award on behalf of the city and landscape architecture consultant Walker Macy last month during the APA Washington annual conference in Spokane.
“This award acknowledges how the park serves as a downtown community space that accommodates public island functions and enhances the local business corridor,” Epstein said. “It honors the excellent work contributed by dedicated citizens, city council members and city staff.”
Waterfront Park underwent a major renovation in 2017. Park features include an expanded boat launch and accessible dock to support overnight stays by visiting boaters, a kayak rental concession, multi-purpose grass lawns with views of the water, rowing shell storage, a children’s playground, and more. City officials said the changes allow users of the park better access to the water and provide links to Winslow businesses and the ferry terminal.
Waterfront Park has also become a recreation center that serves diverse local events and festivals, from National Night Out to Winter Wonderland and musical performances.
The Great Places in Washington awards program recognizes great gathering spaces in Washington State that add value to communities. The awards criteria include the following: places that are mostly outdoors and open to the public and free of charge at least 12 hours a day; a variety of functional attributes that encourage human contact and social activity for all age groups and design elements; and architectural features that are visually interesting and contribute to the use and enjoyment of the space.
The other award recipients include:
• Second Street Plaza, City of Langley & Framework;
• Hing Hay Park, City of Seattle & MIG; and
• Pike Place MarketFront, City of Seattle, Pike Place Market PDA & Berger Partnership.
