April 19, 2024 - Integral to a healthy community are accessible parks, trails and open spaces. Residents of North Bend and Si View Metropolitan Park District identify preservation and access to green spaces as high priorities, and on April 19, they celebrated the opening of Tennant Trailhead Park, a new city park that exemplifies this commitment, with trails built and designed by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.

The park project began in 2016, when the City, Si View Metro Parks, King County Parks and the Trust for Public Lands responded to a public desire to protect a 32-acre forested property on the side of Rattlesnake Mountain that was slated for residential development and came together to acquire the property. The site was also in an area of North Bend identified by Si View Metro Parks as a “park desert.” Park deserts are locations that lack access to green spaces. "Together, we have created a new city park that serves many purposes: to preserve open space, to provide more outdoor recreation while increasing trail connectivity, and importantly, to acknowledge and share the Snoqualmie Tribe’s deep history and profound connection to this land,” said North Bend Mayor Mary Miller. “Projects such as this strengthen our government-to-government relationship and offer new opportunities for all of us to learn.” Thanks to funding support from the King County Conservation Futures Grant and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the property is now under public ownership.

“Together, we have created a community treasure, preserving this site from development, and allowing for conservation, recreation and education for all to enjoy,” said Minna Rudd, Si View recreation manager. The park district is excited about Tennant Trailhead Park for many reasons. “The foundation for creating this park began and ended with a great collaboration of multiple agencies. The expertise of each agency complemented the vision provided by the public and we now have this extraordinarily unique park straight out your door,” said Travis Stombaugh, Si View director.

Tennant Trailhead Park is part of a greenbelt along Interstate 90 that connects to more than 100,000 acres of public land and preserves the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Scenic Byway viewshed. The trailhead and trail system have been designed with community input through a master planning process, and developed in partnership with the City, Si View Metro Parks and King County Parks. "King County Parks is honored to be a partner on developing the Tennant Trailhead Park,” said Warren Jimenez, director. “This project is a prime example of leveraging Parks’ levy funds to create a healthy variety of recreation opportunities, increasing access to this beautiful area."  

Tennant Trailhead Park showcases an important partnership with the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. All trail names are posted in the Lushootseed language. The trailhead kiosk includes a pronunciation guide and information about tribal history. Chairman Bob de Los Angeles said, "The Tennant Trailhead Park is about honoring our heritage. By naming the trails in Lushootseed, we connect both our community and visitors with our tribe's history and culture."

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administered the federal funding for the project. “We are very excited to see the use of tribal language in the park’s interpretive signs,” said Megan Duffy, director. “The signs are an important part of respecting the long history of tribal stewardship and the important connection tribes have to these lands.” Chairman Bob de Los Angeles noted, "Opening the Tennant Trail System is more than creating a new place to recreate. It's about inviting everyone to recreate respectfully through a better understanding of the cultural importance of this land, marked by the names in our native language, Lushootseed."

Photo credit: Jack Lambert

Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance developed the park’s unique trail system and has committed to supporting trail maintenance needs through coordination of volunteer events at the park. It offers a variety of mountain bike trails that are easier to access for local families, youth, and those with limited time or resources. The trails incorporate beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bike options, with plans in place for future connectivity to the Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area and the Raging River State Forest. "Tennant Trailhead Park represents and reflects collaborative planning, creative thinking, shared responsibility in respecting and taking care of our home and ancestral lands and a positive shift in thinking on what today's community trail planning can, and should, look like,” said Yvonne Kraus, executive director of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.



The trail system is open to hikers and mountain bikers and is not suitable for equestrian use. Some trails separate uphill and downhill travel, and some are designated “hiker only” or “biker only.” To avoid user conflict, please adhere to all safety signs and practice trail etiquette.

Additional improvements include a permanent restroom building that will arrive in May and a bike repair station funded by Snoqualmie Valley Rotary. With additional funding from a King County Parks Levy grant in partnership with the King County Department of Natural Resources, work on a 5.5-mile connector trail to the Raging River State Forest is well on its way. The design for the connector trail has been completed and construction is planned in the next two years.

Stop by the new park and enjoy a self-guided tour with the help of the new trailhead kiosk and directional signage throughout.