Improvements are coming to Williams Olson Park. Beginning in November of 2023, the park will see the addition of a new picnic shelter, play area, and a portable restroom. Improvements will also be made to the parking area, trails, and accessibility. For the safety of all, intermittent closures of the park may be necessary during the restoration process.

Project Site Plan

The District Board of Commissioners passed a motion in May to allow two tennis courts to be constructed at Sakai Park. Once completed, the tennis courts at Battle Point Park will be converted to six additional pickleball courts. Staff has secured an engineering firm to create a stormwater plan for the site in preparation for permitting the project. The target date for completion of the Sakai tennis courts is Spring of 2024.

Construction has begun on the Fort Ward playground installation. Located at the north end of the Parade Grounds, the playground should be ready for play by the end of October.

Fort Ward Playground Survey Results
Fort Ward Parade Grounds Original Survey

Silva Solutions, LLC was awarded the bid to complete a timber cruise and prepare a logging bid for forests in Moritani Preserve.

Uncover the “Why” behind our park’s thinning efforts! Explore our Healthy Forest page to grasp the science-driven reasons behind this endeavor. Learn about the delicate equilibrium we’re fostering, and join us in preserving the ecological wellness of our parks.

Ray Williamson Pool will undergo an extensive rehabilitation project, encompassing structural improvements such as replacement windows and a new roof, new system installations (HVAC, electrical, and plumbing), and a state-of-the-art filtration system. This crucial endeavor ensures optimal functionality and extends the life of the pool through 2040.  Our expert team is diligently working on construction documentation so the project can then be scheduled. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this process.

Our summer Trails Crew rerouted the original fall-line trail, which descends straight down the hill with a more sustainable, meandering path. The path was designed with user accessibility and sustainability in mind. The new route runs perpendicularly across the hill, reducing the trail’s slope and increasing accessibility for everyone. It also helps slow down bikes and eliminates blind spots, ensuring pedestrian safety. Upcoming fall rain will naturally compact the trail’s surface, reducing dustiness. Additionally, the trail was designed to follow the stormwater flow, minimizing soil erosion, improving water quality, and allowing water to flow off the trail. We will closely monitor the trail to ensure it remains in good condition and continues to be accessible for everyone.

Silva Solutions, LLC was awarded the bid to complete a timber cruise and prepare a logging bid for the right-acre parcel that will house the extended dog park and mountain bike park at Strawberry Hill Park.

Uncover the “Why” behind our park’s thinning efforts! Explore our Healthy Forest page to grasp the science-driven reasons behind this endeavor. Learn about the delicate equilibrium we’re fostering, and join us in preserving the ecological wellness of our parks.

The Strawberry Hill Skatepark is being renovated and expanded.
The Skatepark Expansion Concept Plan was formally approved by the Park Commissioners at the April 20th, 2023, Park District Board Meeting. Construction documents and a permit package are being prepared and will be submitted for permitting upon completion.  Fundraising and permitting will determine future phased development, which will likely begin in 2024.

The 16,660-sf. Strawberry Hill Skate Park facility will feature an expansive, open “street skating” area with ramps, stairs, rails, and many other elements typical of an urban skating environment. An undulating “pump track” wraps around the skating plaza, allowing a long, continuous ride through momentum-building curves and bowls.

The park is designed for skaters of all skill levels and will welcome not just skateboarders but roller and inline skaters and scooters.

For more information on how to get involved with this project, please visit the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation page here.

Strawberry Hill Skate Park Expansion Map
Strawberry Hill Skatepark Expansion Concept
Skate Park Timeline
Strawberry Hill Skatepark Expansion Revision Summary

The bike park design was formally approved by the Park Commissioners at the May 4, 2023, Park District Board Meeting. Construction documents and a permit package are being prepared and will be submitted for permitting upon completion.

With the acquisition of the property west of the park, the Strawberry Hill Dog Park is being expanded to nearly double its previous size. The entry area will be improved and expanded, two large training bays will be added, and slatted fencing will be added to reduce distractions between the main areas.

A fencing contractor has been mobilized, and construction is coming soon.