Education
Programming
Schools & Scouts
Through partnerships with local schools and scout groups, our education programs are designed to foster an appreciation for forested park lands, wildlife habitat, and native species. Our inquiry-driven approach has focused on native plants, invasive plants, adaptations of animals in the park, plant identification, bird habitats, Native American use of plants, horses, and park stewardship.
Self-Guided
Two on-site opportunities for learning more about the park were created by the Foundation in partnership with Washington State Parks. For a brief overview of park history, stop by the Welcome Kiosk just inside the main event grounds. To experience a sense of place, capture curiosity, and provide a unique ecological perspective of Bridle Trails State Park, consider a walk along the 1.7 mile Trillium Interpretive Trail.
Nature Walks
Foundation Board members and local experts host periodic nature walks in the park. Depending upon the season, nature walks can be focused on native plants, mushrooms, history and ecology of the park, and park animals. Nature walks are a fantastic way to venture into the park for the first time. We believe that once you experience the beauty and tranquility of this special place you will be drawn back again and again.
Stewardship
Stewardship involves helping to protect, preserve and enhance the park. This can be as simple as picking up any trash you see as you walk the trails or helping in any number of volunteer stewardship events.
Learning Resources
Park History
Discover how Bridle Trails State Park became the valued community resource it is today.
Natural History
Make a connection with the plants, animals, and ecological wonders found in the park.
For Families
Park activities, lessons and resources for environmental education during COVID-19.
Environmental Education Classroom & Welcome Station
The Bridle Trails Park Foundation, established in 2002 to advocate for and enhance Bridle Trails State Park, has been offering environmental education opportunities for different ages and interests for over 16 years, including: professionally led botany, ecology, and fungi walks; school field trips; forest summer camp; Girl Scout eco-badge days; citizen science and stewardship projects; and large community events with fun educational components.
In 2014, members of the Bridle Trails Park Foundation (Foundation) and Washington State Parks staff began working together to connect strategies with the shared goal of improving park amenities and services. Collaborating within the framework of stated Commission goals, the building of an Environmental Education Classroom took shape.
In 2018 the Foundation engaged an environmental education consultant to survey teachers, civic educators, scout leaders, and the community at large with the goal of identifying what types of education programs would work best in our forested, equestrian, and pedestrian park. Interest was high, and the results were used to design pilot programming to meet community demand and reinforced the need for an indoor-designated learning space with ADA accessibility.
Architectural firms Hoshide-Wanzer and Jones & Jones were retained, and site evaluation work was initiated. The proposed site and design address the unique safety needs of this urban equestrian and pedestrian park while ensuring minimal impact on the 489-acre forested park. The site also allows for a small Welcome Station, which will provide a friendly environment for visitors to connect with park staff while visiting the park.
Upon project completion, the Foundation will deed the building to Washington State Parks for its management but will provide funding for maintenance and educational programming.
The proposed location for the project is a forest clearing to the southeast of the existing arenas. This site allows for a safe ADA-compliant interpretive trail amidst equestrian event grounds and clean sight lines for equestrian trail users. It is also optimally situated for visitors to access park staff within close proximity to the parking lot and the main trailhead kiosk.
The proposed project is two buildings: one classroom (Classroom Building) and one office for the Park Ranger and interpretive staff (Welcome Station). The total current footprint of both buildings combined is 1432 square feet. There will be an outdoor deck area, approximately 488 square feet, between the two buildings to be used for outdoor education. The project includes a permeable ADA interpretive trail to create equitable access for all mobility types to experience the park/forest.
The Classroom Building is 1,070 square feet, approximately 25’ x 50’, with a main room (capacity 35), two gender neutral accessible restrooms, and a storage/mechanical room.
The Welcome Station is 362 square feet, with an office and a storage/utility room.