Bridle Trails State Park, Forest park in Bellevue, United States.
Bridle Trails State Park is a 489-acre (198 ha) public recreation area just outside Redmond, bordering Kirkland and Bellevue. Its unpaved trail system covers 28 miles (45 km) through lowland forest of Douglas firs and Western hemlocks. Four outdoor arenas are used for equestrian shows, and the park holds Kirkland's 11,200,000-US-gallon South Reservoir.
The park was established in 1932 after advocacy by local equestrian groups, including the Lake Washington Saddle Club, when around 3,500 horses were kept in and around Bellevue. In 1933, Civil Works Administration workers cleared brush, burned logging debris, and built trails and fences. The land had been set aside for common schools when Washington Territory was created in 1853, and timber sales supported local public schools. The Bridle Trails Park Foundation was established in 2002 to pay half the cost of park operations after state funding was reduced.
Horse riders from the area gather regularly for shows and meets in the four riding arenas scattered through the park. The equestrian community treats this place as their local center for events and training.
Three marked trail loops offer varying distances from about one mile to three and a half miles for different fitness levels. A Washington State Discover Pass is required for vehicle parking at the trailheads.
The park holds one of Kirkland's two water reservoirs, the South Reservoir, with a capacity of 11,200,000 US gallons (42,000 m3). Residents have also reported a black bear leaving the park each summer. The Bridle Trails Park Foundation was set up in 2002 to cover half the park's operating costs.
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