By Mark Jensen
The fog hung low over the Sound this week, a familiar gray blanket that seemed to tuck Bainbridge Island in a little tighter against the chill of late February. It was a week of distinct contrasts in how we move through this place we call home. While we celebrated the opening of new pathways through our quietest forests, we braced for the inevitable gridlock on our only bridge. We watched a long-standing cultural leader announce her departure, while a new generation of athletes brought state championship gold back across the water. Life here is defined by these comings and goings, the opening of new trails and the closing of old chapters.
A New Artery Through the Woods
For years, the Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve has been a sanctuary for islanders seeking silence, but accessing it has often required a specific intention and a car. That changed this week with the opening of the Vincent Road trail connector, a project that is more than just a new place to walk the dog—it's a tangible step toward a more connected, walkable island.
The Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation, working with the Park District and the City, unveiled the new trail segment connecting NE Vincent Road directly into the preserve. This isn't just a local footpath; it's a link in the "Sound to Olympics" trail vision and the cross-island trail system. For residents on the south end, the preserve just became a neighbor rather than a destination.
The trail winds through the kind of second-growth forest that defines our topography, offering hikers a soft, needle-strewn path that feels miles away from the bustle of Winslow. It's a victory for the long-game of community planning—proof that with enough patience and collaboration, lines drawn on a map eventually become dirt under our boots. As construction crews packed up their gear, the first hikers were already threading their way through the salal, testing a route that will likely be walked by generations to come.
Reported by bainbridgereview.com
Building a Place for Memory
Down at Eagledale, the sound of heavy machinery has replaced the usual quiet contemplation at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. After years of fundraising, permitting delays, and community anticipation, construction has finally begun on the new Visitor Center.
The timing is poignant. As we approach the anniversary of March 30, 1942—the day 227 of our Japanese American neighbors were forcibly removed from this island by soldiers with bayonets—the site is transforming. The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association (BIJAEMA) has broken ground on the final phase of the site's development. The project includes a modern Visitor Center designed to house interpretive exhibits and technology that will tell the story of the exclusion to a global audience.
Beyond the building itself, the plans include an amphitheater for outdoor events and a paved plaza to improve accessibility. For the Nidoto Nai Yoni ("Let It Not Happen Again") community, this week was a shift from preservation to education. The memorial wall lists the names of those who were exiled; the new center will ensure their stories are not just read, but understood. With the annual Day of Remembrance approaching, the active construction site is a reminder that history is not static—it requires active stewardship and, occasionally, concrete and timber.
Reported by bijaema.org
The Bottleneck at Agate Pass
If the new trail is the joy of movement, the situation at the Agate Pass Bridge this week is the frustration of it. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) issued a warning that every island commuter dreads: significant daytime delays are imminent.
Starting Monday, Feb. 23, and running through Friday, Feb. 27, the bridge will be reduced to a single alternating lane from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The maintenance is necessary—crews need the space to park a large truck with a mechanical arm capable of reaching under the span for cleaning and inspection. While the work is routine, the impact on daily life is anything but.
For a community that funnels almost all of its vehicular traffic through this single choke point, the reduction to one lane is a logistical headache. WSDOT has advised travelers, particularly those trying to catch a specific ferry sailing, to add substantial buffer time to their schedules. Washington State Patrol troopers will be stationed at the intersection of Highway 305 and Suquamish Way to manage the inevitable backups, but for anyone living on the island this week, the bridge maintenance is the dominant topic of conversation at the grocery store and the gas pump.
Reported by kitsapsun.com
A Decade of Art and a Farewell
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA), the architectural jewel that anchors the corner of Winslow Way, announced a major transition this week. Sheila Hughes, the Executive Director who has steered the museum for the past decade, announced she will step down at the end of June.
Since taking the helm in 2016, Hughes has been instrumental in transforming BIMA from a local attraction into a regionally respected institution. Under her leadership, the museum has expanded its permanent collection, particularly the Cynthia Sears Artists' Books Collection, and launched the BRAVA Awards, which provide unrestricted funding to artists—a rarity in the philanthropic world.
Her departure ends an era of rapid maturation for the museum. "Sheila is smart, insightful, inspiring, creative, and financially astute," noted Board President Suzanna Darcy. As the museum prepares for its fifth annual Black History Month Soirée this weekend—a celebration featuring a pop-up market and live performances—the mood is bittersweet. The institution is strong, but it is losing the visionary who helped define its voice.
Reported by biartmuseum.org
Spartan Swimmers Dominate State
While the rest of the island dealt with traffic and transitions, the Bainbridge High School boys swim and dive team was busy making history in Federal Way. The Spartans left no doubt about their dominance, securing back-to-back state championships in the 1A/2A division this past weekend.
It wasn't just a win; it was a coronation. The team overwhelmed the competition, showing the depth of talent that has been cultivated in our local pools. While other Kitsap swimmers earned high finishes, the collective power of the Bainbridge squad was the story of the meet.
The news was mixed on the hardwood, however. The Spartan boys basketball team faced a tough Bremerton squad in the District 3 2A championship game. Despite a valiant effort, Bainbridge fell 71-52 to the Knights. The loss stings, but reaching the district title game is still a testament to a strong season. Meanwhile, in the gymnastics arena, the Spartan team secured a respectable fifth-place finish at the state championships, capping off a competitive winter season for our student-athletes.
Reported by bainbridgereview.com and bainbridgereview.com
Housing Shifts and Leadership Changes
The quiet crisis of housing affordability saw a small but concrete step forward this week. Construction is set to begin on a new four-unit housing development, the "Southern Cross" project. In a community where housing inventory is perpetually tight and prices are steep, even a small development is significant movement.
In the halls of local government, the City Council continues its work to stabilize city leadership. Following the departure of the previous city manager, the Council has approved a new firm to conduct the recruitment process for a permanent replacement. This comes amidst other administrative shake-ups, including the resignation of Bainbridge High School Principal Rodgers, leaving the district to search for new leadership at its flagship school.
Looking ahead, the community is already gearing up for the "Rising Tides" environmental conference scheduled for late March. The event will tackle the science of sea-level rise—a topic of existential importance to an island community. Planners are organizing field trips to examine shoreline impacts, signaling that the conversation is moving from theoretical science to practical adaptation.
Reported by bainbridgereview.com and sustainablebainbridge.org
Your Week Ahead: Weather
Expect a classic late-winter mix this week, so keep the rain gear handy but don't be surprised if you need sunglasses for the drive home. We are looking at a run of partly sunny days on Tuesday and Wednesday with highs creeping toward 50 degrees, though the nights will remain chilly in the mid-30s.
By Thursday and Friday, the clouds will thicken up, bringing a higher chance of rain to wash off the salt spray. The weekend looks to dry out slightly, returning to partly sunny skies by Saturday—perfect for checking out that new trail connector, provided you don't mind a little mud.
Business Spotlight
Firefly Salon Tucked away on Madison Avenue South, Firefly Salon has cultivated a reputation as a warm, welcoming space for self-care. More than just a place for a haircut, it's a local fixture where the stylists take the time to know their neighbors. Whether you need a simple trim or a complete color transformation, the vibe is professional yet decidedly relaxed—exactly what you want in a neighborhood salon.
Island Fitness Located on Madison Avenue North, Island Fitness is the pulse of the island's health community. It's not just a room full of weights; it's a hub where residents of all ages—from high school athletes to seniors maintaining mobility—converge. With a focus on professional training and orthopedically sound fitness, it's the kind of place that supports the active lifestyle Bainbridge is famous for.
Ba Sa Restaurant If you haven't visited Ba Sa on Winslow Way recently, you are missing out on one of the island's culinary treasures. This sleek, modern spot serves up Vietnamese comfort food that rivals anything you'd find in Seattle. From long-simmered pho that warms you to the bone on a gray day to their caramelized clay pot catfish, Ba Sa brings sophisticated, vibrant flavors right to our downtown core.
Dana Fitzpatrick (Compass) Navigating the Bainbridge real estate market requires a steady hand, and Dana Fitzpatrick has proven she has exactly that, having been voted the 2025 Best Realtor. With deep local knowledge and the backing of Compass, she helps neighbors find their way home in a complex market.
Bainbridge Island Plumbing When the pipes groan or the water heater quits, Bainbridge Island Plumbing is the team neighbors call. A staple of local service, they provide the kind of reliable, no-nonsense plumbing expertise that keeps island homes running smoothly, rain or shine.