Grand Forest East

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The Grand Forest East is now permanently protected!

In just two months, the Island community came together to raise the funds necessary to protect 38 acres of cherished forestland. What started as an urgent call to action became an extraordinary story of what’s possible when we unite.

This effort has been an outstanding example of partnership between the Land Trust, Park District, and the Parks & Trails Foundation, showing how we can come together to protect the Island’s most cherished places, and demonstrating the strength and unity of this community.

Conservation Value Icons: Community Access, Forests, Wildlife Networks, Keystone Species, Proximity & Expansion, Climate Resilience

Acres Protected

38 acres

Conservation Features

- - Forests
  - Wildlife Networks
  - Community Access
  - Keystone Species
  - Proximity & Expansion
  - Climate Resilience

About the Grand Forest East

A map of the Grand Forest complex, showing conserved lands and the trail network. The new protection is highlighted in red, located south of Koura Rd on Mandus Olson Rd.

This property sits at the heart of a vital network of conserved lands—nearly 580 contiguous acres—and a popular system of multi-use trails, loved by Islanders for decades.

Situated within a dense forest core area, this mature forest helps slow and purify stormwater, recharge groundwater, and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. These woods also offer critical foraging and nesting habitat for species like the pileated woodpecker, great horned owl, and flying squirrel.

Celebrate the Grand Forest—in Style

Show your love for the Grand Forest with an exclusive sweatshirt designed in partnership with Bay Hay and Feed! These cozy, limited-edition hoodies do more than just keep you warm—they help protect Bainbridge Island’s cherished natural places like the Grand Forest.

Snag one today—while supplies last—then pick up at the Land Trust office, or feel free to walk in to the office to purchase during business hours. All proceeds now support our Stand for the Land campaign to conserve even more critical habitat.

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How it Works

Infographic showing the steps to protect the property: For sale to partnership to community support to protection to stewardship. A "you are here" marker notes that we are now at the Protection step in the process.

In January 2025, the Bainbridge Island School District announced their intent to surplus, or sell, the 39-acre property by Fall 2025.

The Land Trust, with the support of the Parks and Trails Foundation, launched the Stand for the Grand Forest campaign, uniting in the commitment to protect this treasured community space permanently.

In just two months, the Island community came together in an incredible wave of support, raising the funds necessary to protect the forestland.

The Land Trust secured the property via a deed restriction, providing funds that enabled the Park District to acquire the property from BISD. This restriction preserves the property’s ecological value and recreational opportunities while guaranteeing its protection from development forever.

Going forward, the Park District will own and manage the land as a public park, integrated in the Grand Forest system. They will work to maintain trails and restore native vegetation with support from the Land Trust.

History of the Grand Forest

1889-1980s

This parcel and the surrounding lands, known today as the Grand Forest, were originally managed by the WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to generate revenue for public education through timber harvests or land sales.

Late 1980s-1991

Plans by the State to sell the land prompted local activism. The “Committee to Save the DNR Forest” joined the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and Park District to fundraise through a bond levy, successfully protecting the first 240 acres of the Grand Forest. At the same time, this 39-acre parcel was acquired by the Bainbridge Island School District (BISD) to serve as a potential school site based on projected population growth.

1991-2025

As growth slowed and demographics shifted, a new school was no longer needed—allowing it to serve as a valued community space for recreation and nature. The Park District has since maintained the acreage and its trails as part of the greater Grand Forest system.

2025

Through the Stand for the Grand Forest campaign, the community rallied together to raise funds to secure the land. It is now protected permanently under ownership of the Park District.