NOTE NEW DATE: APRIL 15 Something strange and wonderful is coming to KidsUp! The Next Generation of Play: a giant bronze tentacle, rising up from the deep near the M/V KidsUp! ferry boat play structure. Join us as we celebrate this exciting new public artwork by Indianola artist David Franklin, all day Friday, April 15 at Battle Point Park. Enjoy a day of fun at this fabulous playground. Information: lisa@biparksfoundation.org.

Join Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation for a volunteer work day at the Sound to Olympics (STO) Sakai Pond Connector Trail. We need your help to remove invasive plants such as ivy, Scotch broom, holly and Himalayan blackberry, to make our environment more resilient to climate change. Please join us for this hands-on, rewarding opportunity to support Bainbridge Island Earth Month 2022. Bring masks and gloves, tools including pruners, loppers and folding saws and dress for all weather. Don't forget your water bottle! For more information, please contact Barb Trafton, Projects Director by emailing barb@biparksfoundation.org REGISTER FOR EVENT

Strawberry Hill Skatepark is being renovated and expanded, and the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District wants skaters and other park users to help with the design. The Park District will host a public meeting from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 at Strawberry Hill Center. Grindline Skateparks of Seattle will present options for the new park, and take input and ideas. The expanded skatepark will include a new “street skate” area with curbs, ledges, rails, stairs and other elements typical of an urban skating environment. The design will accommodate users of all ages and abilities, and more types of skating: skateboarding, roller and inline skating, and scooters. What would you like to see? Take an online survey to vote for your favorite elements, or suggest features of your own. The 20-year-old Strawberry Hill skate bowl, recognized as one of the best in the Northwest, will be refurbished as part [...]

Join Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation and Weed Warriors for a volunteer event at Waterfront Park, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 22. There is increasing evidence that an important method that we have on the island for mitigating climate catastrophe is to promote healthy, mature forests, a slice of which we have at Waterfront Park. We can do that by removing invasive plants such as ivy, Scotch broom, holly and Himalayan blackberry. Bring masks and gloves, tools including pruners, loppers and folding saws, and dress for all weather. Don't forget your water bottle! For more information, please contact Jeannette Franks at Weed Warriors by emailing jfranks1@comcast.net REGISTER FOR EVENT

Help care for the woods and meadows of Mortitani Preserve, managing invasive species, maintaining garden beds, and planting native species.

Seeking volunteers to help with the annual Bainbridge Island Beach Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.! This annual stewardship event is held in collaboration with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup .  Sustainable Bainbridge, in partnership with many other Bainbridge Island nonprofits, is organizing this event to help clean our 53 miles of shoreline.  We can all make a difference for our environment and our wildlife!  Everyone can get involved, whether it is supporting a team by entering data in the Ocean Conservancy CleanSwell app or picking up garbage along our shores and waterways–and even along our roadsides.   Sign up at https://www.sustainablebainbridge.org/event/beach-cleanup/  Take pictures and share your unusual debris and finds with us! Use the hashtag #bibeachcleanup when posting on social media. Join us in making our planet a better place for all!

Help build out the island's trails network at this monthly work party.

Red Pine Park Work Party Where: Red Pine Park, 418 Wood Ave SW When: Tuesday, January 10 (2nd Tuesday), 10:00a-12:00p What: Work with our horticulture staff to maintain garden beds, a historic fruit orchard, edible perennials, and other historic plantings in this former homestead in the heart of downtown. REGISTER HERE

Conservation Work Party Where: Blakley Harbor Park, NE Country Club Road, and Blakely Ave NE When: Saturday, January 14 (2nd Saturday), 10:00a-12:00p What: Join the Park District and IslandWood this winter in the ongoing restoration of Blakley Harbor Park! Volunteers will help remove invasive species, spread mulch to discourage regrowth, and plant native species where invasives have been controlled.  Well suited for children ages 6 and up who are comfortable using small hand tools and walking off trail on uneven surfaces. REGISTER HERE

Moritani Preserve Work Party Where: Moritani Preserve, 542 Winslow Way W When: Thursday, January 19 (3rd Thursday), 10:00a-12:00p What: Join our Natural Resources team in caring for the woods and meadows of Moritani Preserve by managing invasive species, maintaining garden beds, and planting natives when the weather is right. REGISTER HERE

Trails Work Party Where: Grand Forest East, 7098 Mandus Olson Rd NE When: Saturday, January 21 (4th Saturday), 10:00a-12:00p What: Join Bainbridge Metro Park’s trails team in maintaining trails of the Grand Forest East.  We’ll be returning sections of the trail to class 1 standards, pruning vegetation, raking trail surfaces, and more. These work parties are well suited for children ages 8+ who are comfortable using some small hand tools and walking a mile or so throughout the two-hour work party. REGISTER HERE

Conservation Work Party Where: Blakley Harbor Park, NE Country Club Road, and Blakely Ave NE When: Saturday, Feb. 11 (2nd Saturday), 10:00a-12:00p What: Join the Park District and IslandWood this winter in the ongoing restoration of Blakley Harbor Park! Volunteers will help remove invasive species, spread mulch to discourage regrowth, and plant native species where invasives have been controlled.  Well suited for children ages 6 and up who are comfortable using small hand tools and walking off trail on uneven surfaces. REGISTER HERE

Moritani Preserve Work Party Where: Moritani Preserve, 542 Winslow Way W When: Thursday, Feb. 16 (3rd Thursday), 10:00a-12:00p What: Join our Natural Resources team in caring for the woods and meadows of Moritani Preserve by managing invasive species, maintaining garden beds, and planting natives when the weather is right. REGISTER HERE

Enjoy a relaxed and informative walk through Moritani Preserve, and learn more about the 5-year stewardship and restoration plan for this beautiful natural space in the heart of Winslow, 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 24. The walk is guided by Lydia Roush, Natural Resources Director for the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District. The event is free, but you can make a donation to the Moritani Preserve restoration fund with your reservation. There is no parking at Moritani Preserve, so please plan to park offsite and walk to the event. SIGN UP TODAY