We’re pleased to welcome Rachel to the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District Board. A longtime Bainbridge Island resident, Rachel is excited to give back to the community that has been her home for the past 36 years.
An enthusiastic walker and swimmer, Rachel is often found exploring the Park District’s 50 miles of trails or swimming her way to good health and happiness at the Aquatic Center. Her appreciation for parks and recreation is rooted in daily use and a deep connection to the places that bring our community together.
Rachel is a retired newspaper journalist who spent her career reporting for several Northwest newspapers, including the final 30 years at the Kitsap Sun. Her work earned her a first-place Pacific Northwest investigative reporting award from the Society of Professional Journalists. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and brings a strong commitment to accountability, transparency, and public service to her new role on the Board.
“I’ve always been on the other side of the dais, finding the news,” Rachel shared. “Now I’ll be helping to lay out a vision for the Park District’s future. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow commissioners and Park District staff, and I am here to represent you.”
In addition to her professional background, Rachel is a lay minister in training and has occasionally preached at Bethany Lutheran Church. She lives in Meadowmeer with her husband, Lloyd, also a retired journalist who now enjoys greeting neighbors as the counter person at the Rolling Bay Post Office. Together, they have three grown daughters: Hillary, an architect in Boston; Geneva, who serves with the Baker River Hotshots; and Sonya, a flight attendant based in San Diego.
Please join us in welcoming Rachel Pritchett to the Parks Board—we’re grateful to have her perspective, experience, and community spirit.