Bridle Trails Park Foundation

Mission

The mission of the Bridle Trails Park Foundation is to preserve, protect, and enhance Bridle Trails State Park.

Education:  We provide environmental education opportunities that foster an understanding and appreciation of the natural world in this remarkable urban forest. Our programs, resources, and activities encourage participation in the protection and care of the park.

Stewardship:  We assist in the care and preservation of this complex forest ecosystem by providing and organizing programming, funding, advocacy, and volunteer opportunities.

Engagement:  We welcome a diverse and growing community with special events designed for family enjoyment that are safely tailored to our unique and treasured pedestrian and equestrian natural area.

Partnerships:  Working closely with our partner, the Lake Washington Saddle Club, we strongly support Washington State Parks in their mission to meaningfully connect Washingtonians with the ecological wonders and equestrian culture of Bridle Trails State Park. 

Description

Bridle Trails Park Foundation was established in 2002. In 2003, the Foundation entered into a 40-year agreement with the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to pay 50% of the net annual operating costs of the Park in return for a guarantee from the Commission to keep the park open. 

In 2022 the Foundation will continue to expand its environmental education and stewardship initiatives. These include: Forest Summer Camp for grades 1-6, support for after-school programs, nature walks for seniors, Scout merit badge programs, and partnerships with Washington State Parks and the Lake Washington Saddle Club to develop outdoor opportunities in this equestrian/pedestrian park for underserved members in our community.

It is estimated by State Parks that close to 160,000 people visit Bridle Trails State Park on an annual basis. All benefit from the Foundation's efforts to keep the Park open and well maintained, and to provide a variety of public programs in outdoor environmental education, interpretation, stewardship, and conservation.