The first Earth Day celebration at Fish Park in Poulsbo April 20 included “engagement by icky.”
That’s how Rachel Bowen of the city’s Poulsbo Stormwater Division described her booth, where people could toss faux dog waste at targets. The point of the booth was to convey the significance of cleaning up after pets, instead of polluting waterways.
The Poulsbo Parks & Recreation Department held its first Earth Day celebration there. Parks coordinator Rachel Cornette said along with Earth Day the event was intended to “celebrate the connection that Poulsbo’s Fish Park provides between local citizens and the natural world,” and the history of the park and those who brought it to life.
Cornette said about 45 volunteers and city employees were involved, including the Poulsbo Rotary, Poulsbo Lions, Audubon Society, Kitsap Public Utilities District, Orca Network and others. Presentations focused on either their own areas of interest, or on issues relevant to the community. For example, Gayle Larson and Jim Leary of the Poulsbo Tree Board educated attendees on the board’s role of policy, technical and educational advice regarding trees and tree cover in the community.
Among those honored for those who brought the Fish Park to life 20 years ago, when it almost became a commercial development, were former parks director Marcy McCluskey and Tom Nordlie, parks Steering Committee founder. A plaque was unveiled at the park engrance further honoring Nordlie.
Community leadership thanked volunteers for their efforts over the years, and to reaffirm the city’s goals of being environmentally sound. Suquamish chairman Leonard Forsman, Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson and Kitsap County Commissioner Christine Rolfes addressed those in attendance.
And, Miss West Sound Allari Strong expressed a personal interest in the environmental issues at the event. Paul Dorn, a Suquamish Tribe fish biologist, talked about the health of the Fish Park. Park volunteers Claudia Gorman, Laura Silverstein, Marianne Walters and John Spiller also performed bluegrass music for the attendees.
Along with the presentations, there was a work party to improve the park. Cornette said there would be more work parties in the future, along with more Earth Day celebrations at Fish Park since inaugural one was such a success.
