In a memo written to the Library board on September 18, 1997, Robert (Bob) Henigson wrote,

“Not long after moving to Orcas Island and becoming introduced to its pleasures, including most particularly its library, I recorded in my mind’s eye the vacant property on Prune Alley contiguous to the library property. My first impression was that it was a space which ought to be preserved…”

Bob envisioned “[e]stablishment of a perpetual public open space…to provide a place of quiet response amongst beautiful landscaping while providing a spectacular access via a wide staircase from the village to the library proper.”