Park restoration should be praised, not discredited | Letters | April 15
Published 3:55 pm Thursday, April 14, 2011
“Amazing” is the only word for the amount of controversy both before and after the recent improvements at the old Strawberry Cannery site.
I understood the initial reservations about the removal of all the remnants of the old cannery, but once the restoration of a more natural shoreline park was decided, just let it go.
The letter by Ms. Keve (“Restoration has ruined its natural landscape,” April 8) must reflect all the months of her objections to the plans. She looked at the new park with whatever the opposite of “rose-colored glasses” would be.
Our walking group went to the park this week as part of a lovely walk along the shoreline trail. We were unanimous in voting our approval “thumbs up.”
As kayakers, my wife and I are looking forward to the access and the lovely new beach launching area.
The revegetation of native plants will grow into an attractive shorescape. Why would we care if some of the old asphalt chunks lay 18 inches below the soil?
In hours of previous work on the old cannery site removing invasive non-native plants, we never saw the beauty or utility that Ms. Keve and others miss. I encourage island residents to visit this new parkcreated with grant money and no city dollars. Wear your uncolored glasses.
Dick Baker
Bainbridge Island
