The Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation has awarded Community Grants totaling$15,000 to six park and recreation clubs and programs.
The Community Grants cap a big year for the Foundation, which has given $1.020 million in total support to the Bainbridge Island Metro Park District in 2023 for park and trail projects, programs and parkland acquisition.
Community Grants were awarded to purchase new kayaks for the Bainbridge Metro Parks recreation department; tools and equipment for Gear Grinders youth bicycle club, for their volunteer work on public trails; new sculling oars for Bainbridge Island Rowing; educational signage for a heron rookery along the Charles Schmid Waterfront Trail in Winslow; educational signage for dog owners in local parks; and support for future tennis courts at Sakai Park.
“This is why we’re here,” said Mary Meier, Parks & Trails Foundation executive director. “Island neighbors and clubs come to us with fun, creative ideas to enhance their favorite parks, trails and programs, and we provide Community Grants to make them happen.”
The Parks & Trails Foundation supports an array of Park District projects and programs through the year, including Summer Trails Crew and the Student Conservation Corps stewardship program. Signature projects supported in 2023 include the Fort Ward Playground, the donor-funded vista shelter at Pritchard Park, and Sound to Olympics/Puget Sound to Pacific trails long-range planning.