Friends of "John Nelson Park" at Strawberry Cannery Cove shared a day of warmth and song Saturday, Sept. 11, in the scenic cove at the Head-of-Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Is., WA. It was the eve of the scheduled demolition of the historic cove by the City of Bainbridge Island.
Photo Joel Sackett
Net Systems helped provide an outdoor, recreational, contained campfire ring around which friends gathered to grill salmon, barbecue and sing. (The 3-foot dia., 16" high and 3/8" thick wall ring had received fire department review and was placed on firebrick so as not to damage the historic cannery pier concrete floor ruin.)
All afernoon and evening people came and went, sharing stories, exhibits, films, historic and contemporary photographs, canoeing, sailing the FOCC flag ship radio-controlled yacht "DESTINY", and quiet personal moments by the water. They also shared memories of cleaning up the beach, shoreside meadows and park; advocating relentlessly to preserve and enhance its historic landscape without destroying and reinventing it; demanding a moral, ethical and respectful response to the generous gift of a public Park by the John Nelson will and descendant heir; and having fun doing it all.
Though a few tears were shed, it was far from somber. A potluck led to rousing campfire harmonies - Woody Guthry's tune became "This Park Is Your Park." Individuals placed flowers upon the sea in quiet personal moments. Everyone savored the fellowship and purpose that had brought them together - Save Cannery Cove.In the immortal words of the late-Ivar Haglund, signs urged: "KEEP CLAM" Others urged the need for a boat float and landing, stated people's love of the cove, and reminded, "CITY LIED: COVE DIED" referring to the extreme shoreline characterization error that went undetected for five years by all the experts.
An haiku was left beside a tree planned for removal:
"Young willow weeping,
Bulldozers coming.
'Am I in way of salmon?'"
The only neighbors who attended were "IMBYs" not "NIMBYs." No elected officials attended, though they'd received public invitations at midweek meetings.
"Blossoms float ashore -
memories among seaweed
and salt water tears."
As of Tuesday, no demolition has commenced. Park officials squirm. Cove "sea serpents" smile. Hope lingers.