Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association Postpones May 16 Firewise Cleanup, and Cancels May 30 Spring Picnic

Some of the news about COVID-19 is improving, but the latest update from the San Juan County Department of Health is still very cautious:

Please understand that one small gathering around a campfire or one low key potluck with just a few friends can cause a major ripple of impacts through our communities. There’s no group of people that should think of themselves as “safe”, no matter how well they’re feeling. The disease is here, it is infecting our residents, and it is on all of us to keep it from spreading.

The current encouraging trends could reverse quickly if our attention wavers. A sudden spike of cases on the mainland could take away our advanced healthcare options. A surge of cases here in the islands would quickly overwhelm our healthcare and EMS systems.

So, take comfort in knowing that social distancing is working, but don’t relax. Not yet. Please.

In light of the unsettled and still deeply-troubling situation, the Board of Directors of the Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association, a voluntary community charity serving the northern portions of San Juan Island, has voted unanimously to POSTPONE the scheduled May 16 Firewise wildfire prevention debris collection Chipping Day event and CANCEL the scheduled May 30 Family Spring Picnic at the Roche Harbor Sculpture Garden.

Firewise Chipping Party Postponed From May 16:

The Firewise program is one of RHNA’s most important emergency preparedness activities, since it helps protect our neighborhoods by gathering and chipping debris to reduce available fuel for wildfires. The program requires a lot of coordination, cost and volunteers. After a bad winter in 2019, RHNA chose to exceed its Firewise budget to  operate two “Chipping Parties,” including the “wettest Chipping Party ever,” and intended to do so again this year on May 16.  

Unfortunately, the roving Chipping Parties are not well-suited to social distancing and other crisis mandates. The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management could not give RHNA clear guidance on whether the May program would be permitted under the on-going safety measures. 

After much discussion, the RHNA Board decided to postpone its 2020 Firewise Chipping Party (originally scheduled for May 16) until its volunteers and our neighborhoods would be assured that the program would be appropriate. 

May 30 Spring Family Picnic at Roche Harbor Sculpture Park CANCELLED:

For decades, RHNA has been hosting a spring picnic on Posey Island, but recent federal rule changes make it impossible for RHNA to keep using Posey for its spring event. After months of research and effort, Jane Hietbrink and her Events/Social Committee developed a great accessible alternative that would open the season with more participation and a fresh new family-oriented look: a Spring Family Picnic at the Roche Harbor Sculpture Park, including recognizing Firewise volunteers and hosting an arts-centered scavenger hunt called “Sculpture Garden Bingo” to encourage participants to learn more about the extensive sculpture in the gardens.

Unfortunately, again following County guidance, the RHNA Board could not be sure that a big gathering so soon after the expected peak of the crisis would comply with safety rules. Reluctantly, the Board decided to cancel the May 30 picnic. 

What About The Rest of the Year?

“This will be the third 2020 event we’ve had to reschedule or cancel, and we don’t do so lightly. We know how important it is to our communities to have events like these, especially now, for communication, community spirit, and coordination of activities,” said RHNA President Barnaby Zall in a message to members. “But our principal concern right now is keeping everyone safe, at home, and not gathering in groups.”

Zall continued: “How will the COVID-19 crisis affect our upcoming events? We don’t know yet. Our Annual Meeting usually brings together 70 people, and our Labor Day Picnic usually more than 120. Until we can get more science-based assurances of safety, we will continue to err on the side of caution, and we will continue to check with County authorities.”  

More information: Barnaby Zall, RHNA President, 360-378-6600, [email protected]

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