Since completion of the Sound to Olympics (STO) Trail Winslow Connector in 2018 by the City of Bainbridge Island, the Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation has played a vital role in transforming the trail into more than just a route. It's becoming a true "linear park."  

Through the Foundation's Friends of the STO Trail Fund, community support has enabled ongoing stewardship efforts that enhance the trail's ecological and recreational value. 

The Foundation has provided funding for invasive species removal and replanting with Northwest native species along the STO corridor. These efforts not only restore the natural beauty of the trail but also support local biodiversity, improve habitat for wildlife, and create a more immersive and restorative experience for trail users. 

The STO Trail is a key segment in the growing regional trail system connecting Puget Sound communities to the Olympic Peninsula, the Puget Sound to Pacific (PS2P) corridor. On Bainbridge Island, it has become a vital non-motorized transportation segment, supporting our goal of linking neighborhoods, parks, schools, and the ferry terminal by trails.  

This vision of a "linear park" is about more than aesthetics. It's about creating a sustainable, accessible, and ecologically rich STO Trail. A destination in itself, where walkers, runners, cyclists, and nature lovers can all find something to enjoy – not just a path, but a place.