Once upon a time, The Grand Forest was a dream without a reality. It was a dream that Island residents and the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District had before the Bainbridge Island Land Trust yet existed. From the Land Trust’s inception, the founders also saw an opportunity to preserve this vast, undeveloped landscape forever. Working with the State Department of Natural Resources, the Park District, and the community ensured that the Grand Forest properties would remain exactly as they are — undeveloped and available to the public for passive use such as trails, scenic vistas and natural areas.
The Grand Forest
ABOUT
The Grand Forest
Why this property?
The acquisition of these natural lands in the Island’s central core, made possible by voter-approved bonds, validated and catalyzed the vision of a major wildlife corridor — a continuous, publicly accessible section of conserved lands that would stretch across the island from east to west. From Meigs Park to Hilltop to the Heart of the Forest, the history and legacy of the Grand Forest extends beyond itself. It set the precedent and recalibrated expectations as to what is possible with conservation on the Island. The tremendous success of this vision is a testament to the power and influence of Islanders’ voices in keeping land natural and accessible.
Acres Protected
233 acres
Conservation Features
- Dense forest habitat
- Issei Creek
- Wetlands
- Multi-use trails