It’s not just about the soccer fields.

Bainbridge needs better ones, and more of ’em. Everyone (including this newspaper) has been saying that for years.

But a proposal to install lighted, artificial turf fields at Battle Point Park is nonetheless worthy of careful thought by the community as a whole, not just the constituencies of youth sports advocates, amateur astronomers and the immediate neighbors. Those 90 open acres on the west side of the island are a finite and precious commodity, a fact underscored by the frequency with which users groups seek to stake out a corner for their own particular interests.

There is first and foremost a question of balance; park

officials must ensure that the interests of random, passive park users aren’t crowded out by organized groups. Many folks still go to Battle Point for peace and quiet.

Too, there are questions of precedent and of scale. If the park board OKs lighted soccer fields today, then why not light the baseball fields tomorrow? And what’s next – grandstands? Fencing? Longer hours? More parking? The soccer club’s proposal is, arguably, a first step toward transforming Battle Point from a community park into an urban sports complex. For some perspective, islanders might take a trip over to the county fairgrounds in East Bremerton, to see the new multi-million-dollar ball field complex that will open there on June 10. It’s a magnificent facility, but is that the direction Bainbridge wants to see Battle Point Park go? Someone needs to be asking these questions.

Several years back, one park commissioner suggested it’s time to revisit the Battle Point master plan. We don’t recall that idea going anywhere, leaving no clear long-term vision for the park’s place in a growing community. Park officials are left to consider proposals like lights and turf fields without a broader context for decision-making.

It’s not just about soccer – what’s really at stake is the very character of Battle Point Park as a whole.

Treat the issue as such.

Insecurity

It was staggering to cross the Bainbridge High School campus last Sunday evening, greeted by the wholesale destruction wrought around the grounds by vandals.

As reported Wednesday, persons unknown stole onto the campus sometime last weekend and cut down 14 splendid and valued trees, most in the area of the central courtyard. Many remain incensed by the mindlessness and violence of the act.

Unhappily, the perpetrators’ identity remains a mystery.

Recall that about 18 months ago, following an incident of extensive graffiti damage, Superintendent Ken Crawford proposed placing outdoor security cameras on the high school grounds, to ward off vandals and help identify them should such acts occur. But the school site councils opposed the idea, citing a “negative impact” on the campus climate; the school board was split, and the idea languished.

Too bad. Those security tapes would make pretty good viewing right about now.