Fay Bainbridge Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fay Bainbridge Park |
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 Fay Bainbridge Park
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Kitsap County, Washington, United States of America |
| Area | 17 acres (6.9 ha) |
| Governing body | Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District |
| Fay Bainbridge Park | |
Fay Bainbridge Park is a fun public park located on the northeast tip of Bainbridge Island, in Washington. It's right next to the Point Monroe sandspit and is open from morning until night.
This park covers 17 acres of land, including 1,420 feet of shoreline along Puget Sound. It's a great spot for playing on the beach and camping. From the park, you can enjoy amazing views of Puget Sound, the Cascade Mountains, and two famous volcanoes: Mount Rainier and Mount Baker.
Contents
Park History
How the Park Got Its Name
In 1944, the state bought the land for the park for $5,000. It was purchased from the family of Temple S. Fay. The family asked that the park always keep the name Fay to honor him.
Temple S. Fay was a special kind of doctor called a neurosurgeon. This means he worked on the brain and nerves. He was known for new ideas, like using cold temperatures (called hypothermia) to help people who were sick or having surgery. He also created ways to help people recover from injuries or illnesses, which is called rehabilitation. His two children wanted the land to become a park, just as their father wished.
The Community Bell
At the entrance to Fay Bainbridge Park, you can see a special bell. This bell was given to the park by the Kitsap County Historical Society. It was bought by the people of Port Madison around 1883. They wanted a "town crier" bell to announce important events to everyone.
A man named G.A. Meigs asked for the bell to be brought from San Francisco. It was carried by Captain Jeremiah W. Farnham. The bell was first meant for a school, but the school building was quickly turned into a courthouse. So, the bell was placed on the old community hall. Later, it moved to a historical association and finally came to Fay Bainbridge Park on March 23, 1953.
From State to Local Park
Fay Bainbridge Park used to be called Fay Bainbridge State Park. It was one of several state parks that the Washington State Park System began transferring to local groups starting in 2009. In May 2011, the park was officially given to the Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District to manage.
Park Facilities
Fay Bainbridge Park offers many things for visitors to enjoy.
- Camping: The park has 15 sites for tent camping if you want to stay overnight. There are also 26 utility sites, which are great for RVs or trailers.
- Kayaker Campsites: If you love kayaking, the park has special campsites just for people traveling along the Cascadia Marine Trail.
- Picnic Areas: You'll find places to have picnics, perfect for enjoying a meal outdoors with family and friends.
