Around the Sound: A glimpse at Wyckoff's rich history

By Seth Preston, Communications Manager, Toxics Cleanup Program

Beyond environmental issues, the Wyckoff cleanup site holds deep meaning to local residents and the community.

That includes:

+ Its history as a major industrial site on Puget Sound.

+ Its current and future expanded use as a community park.

+ Its service as home to a moving memorial to Japanese-Americans removed from the island during World War II.

+ Its long-term significance to the local Suquamish Tribe.

Merle Hayes, fisheries policy liaison for the Suquamish, talked about his people's rich history on Bainbridge Island and in the Puget Sound region. He said many people share that love for the area.

“I believe everyone sitting in this room has a piece of this Sound embedded in them,” he said, and the desire to do the right thing for its health.

Libby Hudson, long-range planning manager for the City of Bainbridge Island, also talked about the site's history. Perry Barrett, senior planner for the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, talked about Pritchard Park, which encompasses the Wyckoff site, as well as the Japanese-American memorial.

After they spoke, Kate Snider of the Floyd Snider environmental consulting firm talked through possible alternatives for cleanup at the Wyckoff site. (See the earlier post for a quick summary of those possible alternatives.)