Trails connect Bainbridge Island parks, schools, neighborhoods, even families.
When Sandra McIver moved to Bainbridge Island, she and her husband settled at West Port Madison, and her daughters and their families at Agate Point – neighborhoods geographically close, yet historically never linked. So even a quick visit from one household to another meant a drive out to the busy highway.
“From the very beginning,” McIver said, “we were looking at Bloedel Reserve (between us) thinking, wouldn’t it be great if there was a trail we could walk? I just thought that was a complete fantasy.”
Today, it’s a reality. The new Arbor Trail links W. Port Madison Road with Dolphin Drive/Agate Loop, the first-ever nonmotorized connection between the two neighborhoods. The trail is a partnership between the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation and Bloedel Reserve.
McIver, a member of the Bloedel Reserve board, joined neighbors in celebrating the new trail Feb. 1. The event featured a ribbon cutting and trail walk, and a reception at the Reserve.
The winding, wooded half-mile path is designed as a local connector for the neighborhoods, as opposed to a “destination” trail. There is no parking at either end.
Trail planning and construction were funded by gifts through the Parks & Trails Foundation.
Bloedel Reserve granted an easement along its west boundary for the trail route.
“It’s like a dream come true to me, to walk through there,” said McIver, now a member of the Bloedel Reserve board. “I know that is true for my neighbors, because I see smiles on their faces. People are just really giddy walking this trail.”
The trail was named to honor the Arbor Foundation, the Reserve’s original funder when it opened to the public as a nonprofit public garden in 1988, and nods to the spectacular trees along the trail.
“These neighborhoods, West Port Madison and Agate Loop, have always been back-to-back as the crow flies but never linked by foot,” said Mary Meier, Parks & Trails Foundation executive director. “The Arbor Trail opens up great new opportunities for safe, healthy walks in all seasons. We’ve already heard how the trail has transformed the neighborhoods, and we know it’s true.”
Said Evan Meyer, president and CEO of Bloedel Reserve: “We are honored to partner on this beautiful new trail serving our neighborhood. The Arbor Trail strengthens connections between our community and the vibrant forests of the Pacific Northwest, a goal deeply aligned with Bloedel Reserve’s mission.”
The trail has been transferred to the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District.
The Arbor Trail is the first to be completed under Trails Connect Bainbridge Island, the Parks & Trails Foundation’s campaign to bring four new trails to island neighborhoods.
Fundraising is ongoing for the Sunny Hill to Nutes Pond Trail, Lost Valley Trail (connecting the Head of the Bay with Fletcher Bay Road), and the Waypoint Woods Gateway Trail near the ferry terminal.
Find more information on the campaign at www.biparksfoundation.org/build-trails.
