Thirty-nine acres of Grand Forest East will be preserved for public use, after a successful $2.2 million fundraising effort by the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation and Bainbridge Island Land Trust.
The property will be purchased by the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, under an agreement with the Bainbridge Island School District. The 39-acre parcel has been managed as part of the Grand Forest parkland for more than 30 years, while it was owned by the School District as a possible school site. The School District surplussed the property for sale earlier this year.
The preservation effort was anchored by a $1.6 million gift from a private conservation fund established by an island family, made through the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation.
Hundreds of individual donors gave separately through the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and Parks & Trails Foundation, through a “Stand for the Grand Forest” campaign.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Bainbridge Island community for its overwhelming support,” said Cullen Brady, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust. “The collaboration among the Land Trust, the Park District, and Parks & Trails Foundation has been a wonderful example of how we can come together to protect the island’s most cherished places. This campaign not only saved a vital piece of land but also demonstrated the strength and unity of this community.”
The community responded swiftly to the ambitious timeline after the announcement by the School District to surplus the 39-acre property in February, ensuring the property could be purchased by the Park District to preserve the land for recreation and conservation.
Mary Meier, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation, extended special gratitude to the island family whose conservation fund secured the successful effort.
“I’m inspired by their dedication to public parklands and conservation,” Meier said. “The timing of the gift is so meaningful to them as it also supports the School District and its students. In their words, ‘It’s all about kids and parks.’”
Meier said the donors thanked the Park District for stewarding the property for the past 30 years.
The property holds significant ecological value, serving as a critical wildlife corridor and habitat for numerous species, including the pileated woodpecker, great horned owl, and flying squirrel.
The land will continue to be enjoyed by hikers, runners, cyclists, birdwatchers, and equestrians, who have long utilized the established trail network. With a permanent deed restriction now in place, the property’s public access and conservation values will endure as treasured community resources for years to come.
“We’re grateful for the support of every single donor, and the voices that helped amplify this effort,” Brady said. “We are thrilled that this special place will continue to inspire and benefit the community in the years ahead.”
Dan Hamlin, Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, added, “This public-private partnership can serve as a model for recreation and conservation projects going forward. We’ve preserved the Grand Forest East for future generations because so many in our community joined together to make it happen.”