Beautiful Bainbridge

Neighborhoods thoughts by Carl Sussman

The incredible diversity of Bainbridge Island makes this a unique place to live, while the close knit community gives Bainbridge its own particular flavor. One of the features that draw a varied mix of residents to the Island is its many styles of living spaces from which to choose – from rural settings and farmland to the more cosmopolitan town center. Each area presents its own discrete life-style advantages, making Bainbridge a community of modern amenities while offering the pleasures of small town living. The communities and neighborhoods described below give one the flavor of the varied neighborhoods which dot the island:

Winslow

Winslow is the town center, with many newer condominiums interspersed with shops, art galleries and restaurants. The renowned Town & Country Market is situated here, and the main street features clothing stores, an independent bookstore, and Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, an arts cooperative for local artisans. During the summer months a local farmer’s market offers fresh food and crafts. One of the advantages of living in Winslow is its proximity to the ferry, transporting islanders to downtown Seattle. This is a lively area with a small town ambiance and shoreline paths, and is easily navigated by foot.

Wing Point

Wing Point offers a range of home styles, many with views of Seattle, and a historic country club with various levels of membership, a pool, dining and golf facilities. Many of the properties offer a southern exposure with views of the Olympics Mountains and Mount Rainier, and the waterfront homes situated on sandy beaches welcome the ferry boats as they pass by. Proximity to the ferry and downtown Winslow make Wing Point an extremely desirable place to live.

Bill Point

Bill Point is a distinctive community which overlooks Rockaway Beach, so that most of the homes have a dazzling view of the Seattle skyline. There is an active homeowners association and a community pool. Winding roads lead to these homes situated atop a hill, assuring privacy and distinction. One of the delightful features of this community is the various home styles, many with daylight basements, and set amid a fully mature and stylistically landscaped setting.

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach features low to no-bank waterfront properties, most with unobstructed views of Seattle, shipping traffic and Mount Rainier. This older, established neighborhood was once dotted with simple, shingled, week-end homes, many of which have now been replaced with larger and exquisite beach front dwellings. The ferries ply the Sound passing close to the beaches, a magnificent sight to enjoy from one’s front porch. This is a quiet and serene area, yet only a few miles from the town center at Winslow.

Port Madison

Port Madison is an historic area located on the northeast section of the Island. It was once the home of a booming lumber mill, and some of the original lumbermen homes still dot the landscape. Many of the older homes have been placed on the Historic Register, and sit alongside newer beachfront properties fronting the bay, a popular destination for boaters. The close knit community of Port Madison has its own boat dock and private water system. On summer evenings one can enjoy a sail around the bay or picnic on the community beach. The town is Poulsbo to the north, offering shopping and the incredible Central Market, is just a few miles away.

Point Monroe

Point Monroe, also know as the Sandspit, is situated on the northeastern end of the Island and close to the fabulous Fay Bainbridge State Park. The area consists of a thin strip of land wrapped around a saltwater lagoon. This is a small community of about fifty homes, some former fishing cabins sitting amongst refurbished and more expensive properties. The Sand pit is quiet unique, as there is only one road leading to the spit, and the houses are surrounded by water on both sides.

Rolling Bay

Rolling Bay is a small, quiet community centered around the Bay Hay and Feed Store, an old world emporium which sells farm goods and clothing, as is also home to an extensive garden shop and nursery. Next to Bay Han is a small café offering baked goods and espresso, and an outdoor seating area overlooking the gardens. The Island courthouse is next door, and there is a small, full service post office out front. This is a quiet area of country roads, old farmhouses, and properties with a view of the Sound and shipping lanes. Rolling Bay is a charming community within the larger community of Bainbridge, and retains the rural flavor the typifies old Bainbridge.

Manitou Beach

Manitou Beach features a variety of homes, may set into a hillside overlooking the Seattle skyline. The neighborhood is close to the shops of Rolling Bay, yet remains a very private, older beachfront community.

Fort Ward

Fort Ward is the historic site of a World War II military fort. It was mainly undeveloped until several years ago, and now features new homes set around the historic Fort Ward Parade Grounds. It is also the jumping off point for Fort Ward Park, which offers miles of scenic trails, picnic areas and a public boat landing. Once can still see remnants of the area’s history along the waterfront, including a World War II service barracks which is now a refurbished condominium complex. There are charming newer custom homes dotting the hillside which runs down to the waterfront, many with views of Rich Passage and South Beach. The light in this area is unrivaled, and there are level stretches of beachfront for leisurely walks adjacent to the state park.

South Beach

South Beach sits below Fort Ward, on the waterfront at the southern most tip of the island. There are new, custom built and expansive homes lining the beach, and the sound of barking sea lions adds a distinctive flavor to the area. There is an old fishery situates here, as well as older homes which enjoy views of Mount Rainier, the Bremerton ferries, and naval and commercial traffic. This quiet, unique neighborhood offers a distinctive and serene setting.

Meadowmeer

Meadowmeer is a lovely community situated on land that was once a strawberry farm. Most of the homes were built in the 70’s and 80’s, and overlook or are close to a public golf course. Meadowmeer Health and Racket Club is a member’s only, full service health club and spa, and also offers tennis and racquet ball courts. The development is close to the Grand Forest, a favorite spot for hiking and trail riding. Wide, curving streets surround the 9-hole golf course, and most of the homes have views of the well-tended fairways.

West Blakely and Pleasant Beach near Lynwood Center.

West Blakely and Pleasant Beach near Lynwood Center. The West Blakely and Pleasant neighborhoods are built adjacent to Lynwood Center, a 100 year old historic, Tudor style brick building. The entire structure was recently remodeled, and includes an art-house theatre, bakery, hair salon, music store and several restaurants. These include the expansive Treehouse Café, a popular pub for movie goers and a mid-morning coffee stop for bicyclists making their way around the Island. Pleasant Beach is knows as the “Gold Coast” with southern and west facing waterfront homes, and an eclectic mixture of old, new and renovated properties. This is the place to watch huge aircraft carriers making their way through Rich Passage, drawing crowds to see this spectacular sight. A temporarily abandoned project across the street from the center will soon feature condominiums above retail stores.

Eagledale

Eagledale is one of the older communities on the Island, with gorgeous vistas overlooking horse farms, extensive pastures, and the Sound. Its rural roads retain the distinctive charm of old Bainbridge, although some newer construction dots the area. Winding roads lead to privately situated homes, including some built by ship captains. There are views of the bay, and the waterfront homes in this community, many with private docks, face the Bainbridge marina, with its ever-changing panorama of large and small craft which sail to Bainbridge throughout the year. The homes in this area offer a wide range of sizes and styles, but the overriding character of the area remains distinctively rural.