City dock is an accident waiting to happen | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 8:27 am Wednesday, July 1, 2015

To the editor:

I rowed to the Boater’s Fair, witnessed an exciting helicopter rescue, toured a fire and rescue vessel and visited various booths at Waterfront Park.

I was drawn to the event as a boater, curious about the designs for the park and the opportunity to discuss the future plans for the city dock with our council members. Perhaps I read it wrong, but I did not see anything about the city’s plans to improve the dock and there were no council members there.

There were, however, beautiful renderings of the proposed park improvements; a terraced handicap compliant landscape with an elaborate drainage system complete with a seasonal stream, an architecturally pleasing rowing storage building with an event rental area above as well as performance/viewing platforms.

The money for the improved park is from a settlement with the WSF that for years was fought for by our dedicated residents to compensate the island for the loss of a boatyard and was intended for a water-related use. I attended focus groups and spoke at council meetings that unfortunately pitted park improvements against dock improvements — our city dock lost. The council vowed to find the funds for the dock, but as I understand there is not enough money left from the $2 million settlement for all that is planned for the park.

As long as I have been a voter I have supported our parks, but the city dock is a hazard, not handicap compliant, does not represent our “island’s gateway” or meet the needs of our community. I tied my skiff to the crowded dingy area during the Boater’s Fair and was forced to disembark from the bow — so much for safe boating practices! I was pleasantly assisted back into my skiff by a young man with apparent learning challenges, but an experienced boater nonetheless that recognized the complexity of the situation.

The council cited the lengthy DNR process as reason to give priority and move forward with the park, but as I understand, the Eagle Harbor Marina was able to make repairs to its dock prior to approval based on necessity.

Our derelict, non-compliant city dock is an accident waiting to happen. If someone were injured then who is liable — the city or the state?

ERIN LEADER

Bainbridge Island