Jarstad Park
Theresa Smith (LK08), Transportation Engineer for Parametrix, and lead organizer of Environment and Planning Day, gave an overview of where the class would be visiting throughout the day. Andrea Spencer (LK08), Community Development Director for the City of Bremerton, spoke to the class on the day and life of a City Planner, most of which is public meetings with very little attendance from the community. A panel of experts included Keith Grellner, Kitsap Public Health District Environmental Health Director; Art Castle, Executive Vice President of the Building Industry Association of Washington, who gave a presentation on low-impact development; and Eric Baker, Kitsap County Board of Commissioners Policy Manager. The panel tackled issues like urban growth, low impact development, and other challenges Kitsap County has with a growing population and limited land.
Tour of Casad Dam
The class spent the majority of the day traveling to various points of interest. Vans were provided by Kitsap Community Resources. The tour included Casad Dam, the Ultraviolet (UV) Light Water Treatment Plant, Jarstad Park, and the Bremerton Waste Water Treatment Plant. Kathleen Cahall, City of Bremerton Water Resource Manager, led the tour at Casad Dam and the UV Treatment plant. The class enjoyed box lunches made by Olympic College Culinary students at Jarstad Park. Ken Donleycott, City of Bremerton Forestry Department, explained how timber is a valuable revenue for the city. Mike Huff, Salmon Enhancement Biologist from the Suquamish Tribe, described how the fish hatchery at Jarstad Park works and the class was able to see how the salmon are clipped before being sent out into Puget Sound. Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Manager for the City of Bremerton, Pat Coxon and his staff, took the class on a quick tour of the plant and explained how Bremerton’s waste is handled and treated.
Lunch at Jarstad Park
Theresa and Garrett Jackson (LK15) 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. Parametrix was the official sponsor of Environment and Planning Day and the Port of Bremerton was the venue for the beginning and end of the day.
Thank you to our Challenge Day Sponsor: Parametrix.
Transportation provided by Kitsap Community Resources.