Red Pine Park, on the corner of Wood Avenue and Parfitt Way in Winslow, has been taking shape for a long time, and finally its mysteries and gates are opening to the public as it becomes the latest gem bequeathed to the Bainbridge Island Park District.
The most recent chapter in the land’s history stretches back over three years to when the Harui family was set to sell their half-acre property to a commercial developer. Plans were in the works for apartments and an underground garage. Dismayed neighbors attempted to raise funds to purchase and preserve the land but were unable to collect enough money.
In stepped Bainbridge philanthropist Sue Cooley. When she learned what was at stake she negotiated a sale with the Harui family and purchased the property in 2011. Cooley, now 90, had a vision for the land to be a quiet park in one of the remaining open spaces in Winslow. Since that time she has worked closely with her friend and general contractor Bruce Woolever and his partner Brig Morgan at Toilsome Construction to bring the park into being.
It should be noted that neither Cooley nor Woolever nor the Haruis are comfortable with attention about this project. When I contacted Cooley a year ago about it, she asked me not to write about it fearing that publicity might impede her plans, and I complied. “You’ll never get her to talk. She’s awesome and amazing and very private,” said Woolever, adding that he admired Cooley’s preference to be out of the spotlight and simply get good things done. Following her lead, Woolever himself preferred not to say much, but given that the park is now entering the public sphere as part of the Park District, he was willing to answer questions. Even the Haruis declined to have the park named after them.
After the purchase, Cooley had the old Harui house removed from the west side of the property. She and her team then set to work cleaning things up, nurturing the extraordinary trees and plants the Haruis had put in over the decades, and sculpting the area into a place of beauty and peaceful contemplation. The park’s namesake comes from red pines that the Haruis planted from seedlings taken from an original red pine brought by Junkoh Harui’s father from Japan and planted at Bainbridge Gardens, the family business. The red pine is said to symbolize strength and resiliency.
The park itself is full of treasures for the keen eye. Its orchard contains apple, pear, plum, kiwi, cherry, persimmon, and peach trees. It has all manner of berries, from raspberry to marionberry. Other trees, besides the red pines, include madronas, dogwoods, Norway maples, and a catalpa. “Brig is the master gardener,” said Woolever. “He and Cooley get the credit for the incredible landscaping.”
In addition to its rich plantlife, the park contains benches, walking paths, 11 raised beds to be leased annually to community members, and gates for east and west access as well as two more for access to the pea patch. A small parking area sits at the west gate entrance.
After considering different options for the park, Cooley eventually approached the Park District this year and entered into negotiations to set up parameters for how it would and would not be used. “In the end the Parks Department seemed like the best fit for maintaining the park because of its grounds crew,” said Woolever.
Woolever explained that Cooley didn’t want to hamstring the District with too many restrictions but wanted to have her vision be honored. The park will remain a peaceful open space for visitors. Large events like concerts and weddings will not be allowed. Dogs will be permitted on leash.
Park Services Superintendent Dan Hamlin said, “We’re really really excited about this rare park in Winslow. It’s really well-done.”
Hamlin said that once the final documents are reviewed and signed, mostly likely within the next few weeks, the Park District will go in and assess how much will be required of staff. “It’s unlike most of our properties in that it’s a well-manicured site requiring a different level of maintenance,” he said.
Hamlin noted that there is a waiting list for the pea patches.
About the project, Woolever said, “It’s been a joy to work on. Handing it off is bittersweet, like sending a child to college.”
Woolever said he loves working with Sue. He explained that she works through example. “What she wanted to do is to go in and do something with a direct affect on people’s lives. She hopes it will inspire others with the means to step up and do something meaningful for the community.”
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Photos by Julie Hall.
