The Bainbridge Island Metro Parks and Recreation District continues to work with Fort Ward residents on a proposal to put a new playground there.

At a recent meeting, Bonnie Harris asked the board to table the proposal to put a playground on the parade grounds. She would like the help of park staff to facilitate a fair process that allows them to participate in the decision-making process. Harris said there is a majority in favor of a playground but not where to locate it. Sarah Lee agreed, concerned about the historic nature of the parade grounds. It is the only military facility on BI on the National Register of Historic Places. When Lee donated land to Fort Ward Parade Grounds, she hoped the property would be honored.

At an earlier meeting, Caitlin Lombardi spoke about how word was spread via flyers on doors and on the Fort Ward community Facebook page for a neighborhood survey. 140 responses were received from 108 households. About 76.5% of respondents answered positively about a playground, with 61% in favor of the parade grounds as the preferred location.

Jim Brumley said at the Fort Ward community meeting that most people wanted the playground to be built in upper Fort Ward Park. Heather Berse said if there is any way to reduce the feeling that the community is being split she is in favor of that. Thomas Dildine said he works from home and is concerned that a playground will compromise both his and his wife’s ability to make a living. JD Sumsky said that there was not a consensus at the Fort Ward community meeting on the upper Fort Ward Park site. From her perspective, the decision should be made on serving the whole community and the greater good. She hopes the board will conclude that the parade grounds are the best location. Loanne Harmeling said she lives next to the Madison Tot Lot, and she enjoys hearing kids playing. While she is sympathetic, she thinks that kids playing next door is a non-issue.

Commissioner Ken DeWitt suggested the board direct staff to come back to a future meeting with updates and a possible recommendation for a location. Commissioner Tom Goodlin said that his priority would be to avoid being too close or too far away from houses. Commissioner Dawn Janow said that staff should come back with a list of pros and cons for the different sites. Commissioner Jay Kinney suggested that the next time the topic is on the agenda that it be an action item rather than for discussion only.

Money talks

Meanwhile, Administrative Division director Amy Swenson gave a budget update. She said $300,000 more than expected was obtained from a Washington Recreation & Park Association SEEK grant that will be used to buy recreation equipment. She mentioned increased recreation program fees; a $30,000 increase in campground revenue; a $40,000 decrease in short-term rentals; a $166,000 increase in utility and fuel costs; and a $94,000 increase in insurance costs. DeWitt said that setting higher reserve levels allowed parks to continue providing services during the last economic downturn.

Swenson reviewed challenges facing the district — the biggest a labor shortage. Several positions have not been filled, and there is a lack of applicants. Young people are not applying as they were prior to the pandemic. Swenson said additional challenges include increased cost of supplies; vendors charging more; delays in delivery of equipment and supplies; increasing public records requests; high and unstable energy prices; new local and national regulations fostered by climate change; and increased community demand on the aquatic center, facilities and all other program areas.

Goals to address the labor shortage include possibly increasing the employee health benefits subsidy; maintain competitive wages; maintain the cost-of-living adjustment close to the Consumer Price Index so wages are not eroded by inflation; maintain proper staffing levels; and provide work/life balance. Options to retain and attract staff include tuition assistance; professional development and training; and reduction of district fees for those who participate on district teams. Kinney said the district might consider a transportation/fuel subsidy to draw off-island residents.

Swenson said to address climate change the district could hire a forester and continue efforts to conserve and reduce energy usage. Harris suggested providing electric bicycles to district employees. Parks executive director Terry Lande said no research has been done on the cost of a vehicle charging station, but it will be researched. Swenson said the goal for public records requests is to make the process as smooth as possible. Staff is looking into records management software, a better record storage facility, and assigning a backup staff member to fill in for vacation or illness. To reduce energy costs the district may research solar options and heat pumps to conserve fuel/energy.

New pool?

Goodlin asked for an agenda item regarding making aquatic center improvements. His aspiration is to have a replacement pool built for the competition pool. He said if a project is created the BI Parks & Trails Foundation could accept donations for it. Janow said without a location or any viable situation for a new pool she thinks it is unfair to start accepting money. Foundation executive director Mary Meier said generally it does not like to start fundraising until there is a clear scope of work and budget established.

Lande said three choices were developed, 25-meter, 33- meter and 50-meter pools, and the board decided it did not want to go out for a bond for several years, so it was tabled. DeWitt said that the BI school district has told parks that it will not consider a new pool until its master plan is complete. Goodlin said there is need for a competition pool and if it cannot happen at the aquatic center then it is time to look at other options. Lande said not only is there the cost to build a pool but the cost to operate it must be addressed before a new one is built.

Other news

Improvement Fund projects include Ray Williamson pool renovations; Strawberry Hill Park bike, skate and dog park and artificial turf field plans; Eagle Harbor sail float replacement; address pickleball and tennis court demand; restroom maintenance/repair at Fay Bainbridge and Battle Point parks; and deferred maintenance.

Goodlin suggested pulling the Sakai Park plan and reproposing it with the city of BI. He imagines a small development at Sakai such as tennis and/or pickleball courts, a play area and picnic shelter. Lande said park staff will be notifying the city to withdraw the Sakai plan.

Dan Hamlin, Parks Services Division director, said parks is gearing up for the Haunted Hayride in late October. The district has been loaned a broadcast herbicide sprayer for turf application, which will result in a quicker and safer treatment at all ballfields. Remaining fall ballfield preparations will occur including aerating, top dressing, seeding and fertilizing. Hamlin said the city informed him that they need to do a wetland study and permit on the farm trail, delaying work on that trail for months.