For over three decades, the people of Bainbridge Island have worked tirelessly to protect the natural beauty and open spaces that make this place so special. The collaboration between the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, and the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation have been at the heart of this effort. From the Grand Forest to Gazzam, Meigs Park, Ted Olson Nature Preserve, and beyond, we have partnered to safeguard these treasured places for future generations.

Today, we stand at another exciting milestone: ensuring permanent protections for the nearly 40-acre Grand Forest East parcel, currently owned by the Bainbridge Island School District. This effort is the next chapter in a shared commitment to conserving and stewarding Bainbridge Island’s natural areas.

Incorrect information has been circulated about this effort, and we want to clarify and emphasize the shared values we are committed to preserving. A lasting agreement between our organizations will guarantee that this land will never be developed and will ensure that it remains in public ownership and continues to provide both recreational opportunities and environmental benefits. BILT and BIMPRD are committed to maintaining the existing trail access for everyone.

It’s important to make one thing very clear: there is no risk of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust or the Parks District intending to sell any part of the Grand Forest East parcel for development. Our goal is not only to conserve these lands but to protect them from the threat of future development. The only real risk to this land comes from inaction.

This current effort builds on the legacy of collaboration. Since 1991, when the first protections were put in place to preserve the Grand Forest, our two organizations have worked to expand and safeguard the greater Grand Forest Complex. Over the years, we’ve grown this area into one of Bainbridge Island’s most beloved public spaces, a place to explore and connect with nature. This work has created a conserved network of more than 580 contiguous acres at the heart of the Island, providing a mix of conservation, recreation, and community values.

The agreement we are finalizing will place legally binding and perpetual protections on the Grand Forest East parcel ensuring that it remains accessible to the public and continues to maintain conservation values. The parcel’s forests, trails, and wildlife habitats will be preserved, and it will remain an integral part of the island’s park system. The success of this effort hinges on the continued support of our community. It will take a collective, community-driven effort to finalize this protection and ensure the parcel remains preserved for future generations.

As two organizations that have been entrusted with the stewardship of Bainbridge Island’s parks and natural spaces, the work we do, along with the support of the Bainbridge Parks & Trails Foundation, and the broader community, demonstrates what can be achieved when we unite around our shared values. These foundational values are protecting nature, supporting recreation, and creating a legacy of conservation.

Cullen Brady is the executive director of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, and Dan Hamlin is executive director of the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District.