Kitsap Arts and Recreation Communities Explored 

April 8, 2011

Venue: Kitsap Community Resources, Admiral Theater, Downtown Bremerton 

Transportation Provided By: Kitsap Community Resources 

An all new Arts and Recreation Day began at Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) in Bremerton, with guest speaker Peter Raffa, Kitsap Regional Library Foundation. Peter emphasized the importance of philanthropy in our community, even with a challenging economy. Mary McCluskey and Wyn Birkenthal, Directors of Poulsbo and Bremerton Parks Departments respectfully, provided an overview of providing public resources in the parks system from the state to local levels; while Geoff Ball of the YMCA provided perspective from a private venture.

The class explored native culture with youth dancers and artists from the Suquamish Tribe. After lunch, they toured the Admiral Theatre and participated in a diverse Arts Panel with Joanie Pearson, the Bremerton Arts Council; Susan Daniel, Kitsap Historical Society; Alan Futterman, Bremerton Symphony; and Ruth Enderle, Admiral Theatre. The day wrapped up with a comprehensive arts walk through downtown Bremerton featuring local sculptures, parks, museums, and galleries.

Environment and Planning Day: County Resources and Sustainability Key for Future Growth  

March 13, 2011           

Sponsors: Kitsap County Home Builders Association and Parametrix 

Venue: Kitsap County Public Works Annex, Jarstad Park, Casad Dam, Lions Field, Bremerton Waste Water Treatment Plant

 

Leadership Kitsap's (LK) Environment and Planning Day was sponsored by Home Builders Association of Kitsap County and Parametrix. City of Bremerton Director of Community Development, LK Board member, and day organizer: Andrea Spencer (LK08), gave an overview of the day and explained the objectives of the planning department of the City of Bremerton. A panel of experts included Art Castle, Interim Executive Vice President of the Building Industry Association of Washington, with a presentation on low-impact development (LID); a joint presentation with City of Bremerton Engineer, Tom Knuckey and Kitsap County Project Manager, Eric Baker showcasing the Gorst Comprehensive Plan; and an presentation from Larry Curles, West Sound Utility District (WSUD) General Manager on the new innovations WSUD is exploring.

 

The class spent the majority of the day traveling to various points of interest. Vans were provided by Kitsap Community Resources. Included in the tour were stops at Jarstad Park, Casad Dam, Lions Field and the Bremerton Waste Water Treatment Plant. The class learned first-hand what the City of Bremerton is doing to maximize the resources available and to support sustainability.  

Presenters on the tour included, Kathleen Cahall, City of Bremerton Water Resource Manager; Mike Huff, the Salmon Enhancement Biologist of the Suquamish Tribe; Bill McKinney, City of Bremerton Public Works Forestry Manager; Colette Berna, City of Bremerton Park Planner; and Pat Coxon, City of Bremerton Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager.

Andrea concluded the day with a mock public hearing exercise which challenged the class members to step into the shoes of both citizens and public officials.

LK Class of 2011 Service Projects Wrapping Up 

As the curriculum year comes to a close, the community service projects of the Leadership Kitsap (LK) Class of 2011 are concluding and making an impact. The class did a remarkable job working with their community sponsors to fill a need and make a difference in Kitsap County.
 

The Smith Playfield Nature Classroom team partnered with Kitsap Community Resources (KCR) and Bremerton City Parks and Recreation in transforming the existing Smith Play Field (at 1205 Park Avenue, Bremerton) into a Certified Nature Explore Classroom which is adjacent to KCR's Head Start facility. KCR operates Head Start and other child development programs. The Nature Explore Classroom Certification Program is a national initiative that recognizes schools and other organizations that have made a commitment to providing outdoor classrooms and comprehensive programming to help children use the natural world as an integral part of learning. The LK team, along with numerous community volunteers, spent several weekends planting, designing, and building pathways and play structures under the direction of the staff at KCR's Head Start. The improved park and play area will be open to and for the public to use, with the exception of hours when KCR has a scheduled children's program in the facility. When completed, Smith Playfield will be nationally recognized as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.
 

Team Heart for the Homeless, partnered with Bremerton Rescue Mission to provide bunk beds for Kitsap's homeless. Lowe's Home Improvement donated lumber and employee hours and West Sound Technical Skills Center donated student time and skills to build beds. The outcome of the team's efforts was the construction of 9 bunk beds (with linens provided by Silverdale Rotary and Suquamish Clearwater Casino and Resort) for use at Georgia House. In addition to the bunk bed project, the team also coordinated the first Heart for the Homeless 5K Fun Run to raise funds for the Bremerton Rescue Mission and to help increase awareness of the homeless situation in the community. This project reached fruition due to the generous contribution of gifts, funds, and volunteer hours from Team Heart for the Homeless, their community sponsors, and donors.
 

The Senior Wish Project, in partnership with the Long Term Care Alliance (LTCA), created, promoted, and implemented wishes for pre-qualified senior citizens in Kitsap County. The team's mission is to inspire the community to celebrate life at all stages by encouraging seniors to live life without limits. The team's belief is that enrichment activities can and should occur throughout a lifetime regardless of age, socio-economic status or ability. Older adults often require the initiative and/or support of others to realize goals and dreams that seem out-of-reach otherwise. The team has been successful in granting several wishes to our local Kitsap County seniors and is hopeful that the team's legacy will continue on past graduation. In conjunction with the Senior Wish project, the Dream Team also assisted the LTCA in planning and promoting the 20th Annual Older Americans Conference.  

Team HARK the Nature Sings partnered with Hiking and Active Recreation for Kids (HARK). HARK  is a program offered under the Kitsap Mountaineers Club designed to introduce middle school to high school age kids with limited resources to outdoor recreational activities free of charge. Activities include; hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing and indoor rock climbing. The LK team's goal is to educate the community about how HARK benefits youth in Kitsap County. Working with HARK's director, Laura Righmyer, the team created new marketing tools for the program such as brochures and a new website. The team collected donations for HARK events such as passes to Wolf Haven and Stevens Pass. The team held a large gear drive resulting in several types of outdoor equipment that will be available for the youth who are selected for HARK events to use. The team successfully created awareness of the HARK program and their activities to local youth organizations so more kids can benefit in Kitsap County. On June 5th, the team will facilitated a hike up Green Mountain with kids from HARK.

Team Healthy Habits partnered with the Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club to help implement the Boys & Girls Club of America's (BGCA) Triple Play strategy. Triple Play is BGCA's first comprehensive health and wellness program. The Triple Play strategy strives to improve the overall health of Club members aged 6-18 by increasing their daily physical activity, teaching them good nutrition, and helping them develop healthy relationships. Team Healthy Habits accomplished their project goals in three phases:  a kitchen upgrade, a garden build, and an Open House to the parents and public. While utilizing the expertise of Advanced Technology Construction and assistance from Weyerhaeuser, the kitchen upgrade consisted of a new island, stove, stools, and various in-kind community donations. Team Healthy Habits collaborated with Robin Smalls, of the WSU Kitsap Extension for the design of a 16' X 4' garden box. Chris Plemmons, a chef from Olympic College, led Club members with food station exercises to provide hors d'oeuvres for the Open House. In addition to preparing nutritious food for the Open House, the Club members participated in Zumba and planting vegetables in the newly built garden boxes.

Congratulations to the Class of 2011 for their extraordinary efforts in making significant impacts to the lives of many in Kitsap County.