Alice Prince passed away December 23rd. Without Alice, there would be no Bridle Trails Park Foundation and possibly no Bridle Trails State Park here at all. Alice loved horses and was a fierce advocate for protecting the unique equestrian community surrounding the park. Her dedication, energy, skills, and love for the park and our community will be dearly missed.

Alice was not only a founding Foundation board member but the animus for its formation in 2002. Her husband, Don, was the Foundation’s first president. As budgetary problems led the State to consider closing the park in 2001, the board of the Foundation, led by Alice and Don, negotiated a one-of-a-kind, 40-year agreement with the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission to keep the park open in return for the Foundation covering half of the net operating costs for the park. The agreement and the Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation recognize both the value of the park for equestrians and as a superb, forested natural area of special significance in a rapidly urbanizing area.

Raising money to meet financial obligations was the initial focus of the board. As the Foundation did well with that task under the leadership of Don and Alice, the board’s focus evolved into providing events and activities in the park - such as the extremely popular Party in the Park. In 2004, these activities started to include environmental stewardship and education, a primary interest of the current board. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Foundation’s current success is due to the vision and dedication of Alice Prince.

Besides her important work saving and supporting the park, Alice was instrumental in her work with the City of Kirkland to create what is called the “equestrian overlay” in several neighborhoods near the park – a set of zoning rules designed to prevent development that would preclude keeping horses. To track compliance with the new rules, Kirkland established an equestrian advisory committee, which Alice helped to create and implement.

Alice’s love for the park and her community was profound, and her many contributions are greatly appreciated by all who cherish our unique park.