First district U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee recently announced that the House of Representatives approved $2 million in a recent Omnibus bill for the acquisition of a parcel of land to create Pritchard Park.

The 50-acre tract, formerly known as the Wyckoff property, is located on the south side of Eagle Harbor and is owned by a trust. Proceeds from the sale of the tract will be used to continue the ongoing environmental cleanup activities on the site.

The total cost to acquire the 50-acre property is estimated to be $8.0 million. To date, the city, county and state have pledged $2.5 million to buy the land. In addition, local supporters have launched a $2.0 million private fundraising effort.

The federal funds in the fiscal year 2004 appropriations bill will mark a significant step forward to complete the project. Local partners include the City of Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County and State of Washington, the Trust for Public Land, the Bainbridge Island Land Conservancy, and other private parties.

The park is to be named Pritchard Park, after the former GOP leader from Bainbridge Island, Joel Pritchard. A memorial to the forced internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, for which private funds are being raised, is also planned for the site.

Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell also announced that $2 million for the land acquisition was also included in the Senate Omnibus bill, scheduled to be voted upon early next year.

The funds are included in the annual appropriations bill for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and will be included in the NOAA’s Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program.

Inslee commented, “Pritchard Park is going to be a tremendous public asset, and I am glad that Congress saw the importance of helping with the purchase of the land for the Park.”

“I am pleased to have supported this important land acquisition project in the Senate,” Senator Murray said. “Not only will these federal funds help support the creation of a park for our communities to enjoy, but they will help protect our wildlife, stimulate our economy and preserve the history of our region.”

According to Senator Maria Cantwell, “These funds will help complete a win-win for Bainbridge Island, by preserving open space for public use, and providing additional funds for the cleanup of the property.”.