In this 5-minute video podcast, meet Terry Lande, our island’s longtime Executive Director of the Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District. Terry’s staff gave their all — and then some — to the hands-on creation of this inviting and inclusive “Owen’s Playground” at Rotary Park on Bainbridge Island.

In his conversation with BCB’s Channie Peters, Terry explains that his team at the Parks District were so inspired and attracted by the idea behind Owen’s Playground that several of them worked on the project long beyond their paid hours.

Terry invited his whole Parks District staff team to come to work at the playground on the last day before the grand opening event, correctly realizing that the hands-on experience would be memorable and fulfilling.

The Parks District played a key role in bringing the project to realization. The Owen’s Playground project found a home in the park thanks to a unanimous vote of the commissioners of the Bainbridge Island Metro Park and Recreation District (“Parks District”) to earmark 13,000 square feet at the existing Rotary Park (which also includes two ball fields).

The project to create an inclusive park, designed to be safe and accessible for all, has been embraced by hosts of individuals and organizations who made the creation of this remarkable play space a true labor of love.

Design was donated by Studio Hanson|Roberts, with the laborious hands-on construction work and building of the playground’s artistic features coming from Terry’s Parks District team, including, for example, Dan Hamlin and David Harry.

Further funding was provided by Bainbridge Island Rotary Club, the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation, buckets of collections at local businesses, the Goldberg family of Harper’s Playground, family and friends of the Marshalls … and kids!

See the prior chapters of this BCB community video story, here:

Owen’s Playground – Meet Stacy Marshall

Owen’s Playground – Meet Ann Lovejoy

Credits: BCB videographer and video post-production: John McKenzie; BCB host: Channie Peters; BCB social media publisher: Barry Peters.