To the editor:

Part of what makes Bainbridge Island so spectacular is the nature that surrounds us. Fly overhead and our fair isle appears to be mostly trees. This is due in large part to those before us, who made decisions to preserve land when the opportunity arose.

In the next few weeks, Bainbridge residents will vote on just such an opportunity — a once-in-a-lifetime chance to preserve 23 acres within spitting distance of downtown Winslow. It is the largest undeveloped parcel near our city center. The land features 14 acres of open space including a lake, and an additional 9 acres of level ground that could potentially be used for fields and a community center (a public process will determine exactly how the land will be used).

The best part of the deal is that it won’t feel like an increase in taxes, because two open space bonds (for Gazzam Lake and the Grand Forest) have recently expired. By 2018, we’d actually see a decrease in taxes from the park district because our current bond for the Aquatic Center will expire.

In my opinion, this is an easy decision. I hope you’ll join me in voting yes for the Parks and Open Space Bond, and return your ballot by Feb. 10.

BEN KLASKY

Bainbridge Island