Some history on the east-west connection | Letter to the editor

To the editor:

Having lived at what is now Vineyard Lane for 27 years and having worked as a trail designer for the Province of British Columbia and the National Park Service, I often mused about the highway and how it cut Winslow in half. It was clear an east-west connector trail was a way to solve the lack of connectivity. The high banks at the site were natural bases for any bridge that crossed the highway, but there would have to be another, smaller bridge connecting to the Tawresey development so folks could walk to Ferncliff.

We had bought the property from the Yamashitas whose land had been split by the highway. The overgrown former strawberry fields seemed a good place to plant our first vineyard. I would have proposed the east-west trail but we were taxed out of the site before I could make a public proposal.

I have to say I had in mind a much less expensive, narrower design than the new trail to McDonalds. I do not necessarily advocate for a bridge to be built now, but felt some historical perspective might enlighten the debate. Thanks to all concerned.

GERARD BENTRYN

Bainbridge Island