Bainbridge Island

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Bainbridge Island is just a 35 minute ferry ride from Seattle, conveniently placed between the more than 3 million people, who call the Seattle metropolitan area home and the western expanses of Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula. It’s an attractive destination for people‚ whether you are a pedestrian, bicyclist or motorist, you can seek a brief escape from the urban environment. It’s also perfectly located for those who know the island primarily as a gateway to the west, But for those who have discovered that the island is more than just a home for some 23,000 people, its charm can become so magnetic that visitors decided to make the island their permanent home. Bainbridge Island’s downtown district is often characterized as “quaint and sometimes funky” because of its one-story, unpretentious stores lining Winslow Way and Madison Avenue. Most people who live on the Island are there by design and not by chance. For islanders, all that outweighs which can be a longer commute to work, shopping and other necessities the draw is some of the state’s best schools, a savvy highly educated population actively involved at City Hall, the vibrant arts scene and beautiful communities in which to live. The main street is nothing less than the island’s living room, hosting the Grand Old Fourth celebration downtown, evening summer dances and outdoor movie showings. . True, but “stable” is perhaps a more accurate adjective when describing the island’s primary retail and service area. There are probably around 20 downtown merchants or service providers who have been doing business in the downtown and marina districts for more than 20 years. But living and raising a family on Bainbridge Island may not come cheap, the median price for a single-family dwelling on Bainbridge Island is significantly higher than any other community in the County. Bainbridge Farmers’ Market offers a lively experience featuring locally grown produce, artisan crafts and live music from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through October. One of America’s most highly acclaimed gardens, located on the northern tip of the Island, the Bloedel Preserve is a favorite getaway for Bainbridge Island locals. The 150-acre Bloedel Preserve is a high quality environment in which visitors are given ample opportunity to receive messages from nature while walking back through time. Named one of the top five gardens in the world by Gardens Illustrated, a publication of the British Broadcasting Service and the Garden Museum of London, in 2009 Bloedel was also listed in the book “Great Gardens of America” as one of 25 gardens that embrace “the wilderness ideal.”. For more information, visit www.bloedelreserve.org. Bainbridge Island’s primary attraction continues to be its wealth of public lands, with a strong base of park and dedicated open space. For general information about Bainbridge Parks, visit the Park & Recreation district Web site at www.biparks.org Fort Ward State Park At the island’s south end, Fort Ward State Park is a 137-acre outpost on the south end of the Island. Boat launch, walking trails, picnic areas and a campsite for kayakers. Enjoy 4,300 feet of waterfront along Rich Passage. Fay Bainbridge State Park Located on the northeast part of the island, the 16.8 acre waterfront park enjoys views of Puget Sound and access to a sandy beach covered with driftwood. It also has the only overnight camping facilities on the island, with 26 water-only hookup sites and 10 primitive spaces for tents. Call 206-842-3931 for information and reservations. Battle Point Park Located off Arrow Point, the 90-acre park is the island’s most diverse and popular public space. It includes two ponds, picnic areas and a shelter, jogging/walking trail, fitness course, soccer and softball fields, two tennis courts, a roller hockey court, a sand volleyball court, two basketball courts and community gardens. Grand Forest Located between Hwy 305 stretching to Battle Point, the Grand Forest, a 240-acre park in several parts, is mid-island greenway/wildlife corridor. Enjoy walking through the 75-year-old evergreen forest, wetlands and wildlife habitat that are popular with hikers, bikers and equestrians. Waterfront Park In Winslow visit the Waterfront Park by the Ferry landing. The connecting Waterfront Trail begins at the ferry and runs west along the water before turning up into the heart of Winslow. The 8.1-acre park features a covered picnic building, tennis courts, a lower picnic area, bandstand and boat launch. Manzanita Park Manzanita Park off Day Road West, offers 120 acres of woods with horse and pedestrian trails. Its 2.27-mile nature trail is best enjoyed in late summer and early fall. Covered picnic shelter and a controlled group camping area. Wineries proliferate on Bainbridge Island; it started in 1976 with the opening of the award-winning Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery, and has now grown to several small, artisan wineries that sell their products on the island. www.perennialvintners.com www.elevenwinery.com www.victoralexanderwinery.com www.rollingbaywinery.com www.fletcherbaywinery.com. Summer