Save the Winslow Ravine

Dear Bainbridge Island, Kitsap county residents, and those who care about the preservation of ever-disappearing parcels of nature, 

We have started this petition to make you aware of a serious threat that exists to the Winslow ravine on Bainbridge Island.  The city has a plan in place to build a non-motorized pathway THROUGH the Winslow ravine to create an east-west passage to route 305, and subsequently OVER the 305 highway. In order to build the path in its currently drawn location, many old growth trees have already been gashed with survey markers to be removed, significant construction would need to be done to shore up the banks of the ravine which is quite steep in the area of their plans.  In addition, even though the pathway would be for non-motorized purposes (pedestrians and cyclists), the ravine would be subject to more traffic, more trash and litter, more noise, and more light pollution at night which would most definitely disrupt the wildlife ecosystem in that area. The salmon stream that is at the depth of the ravine would also be detrimentally affected by construction within the ravine.  The city has no plans listed at this time for any type of environmental study for this plan and there are at least 2 viable alternative routes available in very close proximity to the current plans, which would have much less of an impact on the ravine and make much more sense, in terms of long term planning for traffic flow, business development, and creating routes for developments already in permitting and construction phases that significantly increase population density in the city center. Please sign the petition and force the city to relocate their exisitng plans through the ravine, so that there is no destruction or construction in the Winslow Ravine, which is one of the remaining beautiful pieces of unspoiled nature that currently exists on Bainbridge Island.  Do not let the city plunder the ravine, without opposition, and move forward with a plan that is ill-conceived and short sighted. By signing this petition, you will be bringing awareness to the project and forcing the city to look at less invasive, less self-serving alternatives.  Thank you for your suppport.