Pilot Projects
With The Trail Next Door, we're exploring how WTA can best benefit people looking to access urban green spaces and trails; from encouraging people to explore and invest in neighborhood trails to expanding the types of volunteer opportunities we offer.
We are listening to partner organizations and trying out new strategies for improving access and availability of urban trails. Learn more about them below!
HIKING GUIDE IMPROVEMENTS
There are nearly 200 hike entries for "trails next door" in the WTA Hiking Guide, and throughout 2020 we'll be working to add new trails, improve existing information and add public transit directions when possible to these entries. Many urban parks have large trail systems with multiple routes, and we've heard from partner organizations and city hikers is that it can be hard to figure out the best one to take when exploring a new city park. You can help other nearby hikers by writing a trip report for your next urban hike and tagging #trailnextdoor.
Volunteer trail work to improve urban trails
We're excited to roll up our sleeves and run volunteer work parties in urban parks across the state. Initially, the majority of these will be concentrated in King and Pierce Counties. We are trying to focus our work on neighborhoods and areas that have less access to green spaces and can serve large populations of people for the greatest impact. In addition, we're also experimenting with shorter half day work parties in select areas of the state that will give new volunteers the opportunity to join us in their neighborhood park without the need for a lengthy time investment. Keep an eye on our volunteer sign up page for an upcoming work party in your area!
see what else we're working on
A Crew Leader’s Story of Woodinville’s New Trail Next Door
May 05, 2023
Volunteer Micki Kedzierski shares her account of a new trail that creates easy access to nature for locals in unincorporated King County. The Greenbrier Trail (and the story of its development) are full of surprises.
Read More
Young Trail Crews Lead the Way at Urban Glendale Forest
Apr 28, 2023
WTA youth volunteers and Emerging Leaders Program cohort members join forces to build a community trail. By Allie Tripp
Read More
Hiker Headlines: Olympic Camping Permits & Road Closures, Urban Forest Funding, Wildflowers
Apr 13, 2023
Olympic National Park camping permits for the summer will be available to reserve on April 15. Expect some road closures and a trail closure in the Quinault area. The Forest Service is allocating over $9 million to support urban green spaces in Washington and Oregon. And, wildflowers are here!
Read More
Full Crews, Clear Trails, Can't Lose
Apr 06, 2023
Are you ready for spring? Washington's trails are, thanks to the volunteer crews who've been working all winter to prep them for hikers this season.
Read More
How King County Parks Meets Local Trail Needs
Apr 04, 2023
WTA partners with King County Parks to make local trails more accessible. Check out their ongoing work to meet local residents at the parks they enjoy close to home.
Read More
From Mud to Magnificent: How WTA Helped Transform a Neighborhood Park
Mar 21, 2023
WTA, in partnership with other groups, helps transform the muddy trails in Whipple Creek Park into a neighborhood greenspace fit for year-round use by hikers, bikers, equestrians and more.
Read More