Earlier this year we told you about a land acquisition in North Bend that kept a 32 acre land parcel from possible development and instead was creating a new park through a joint venture between the city, Si View Parks and King County.
Well, it seems that land now has a name.
The City of North Bend announced that the city and Si View Metro Parks each recently passed a resolution to name the newly acquired 32 acres in the foothills of Rattlesnake Ridge near I-90 exit 31.
The name, Tennant Trailhead Park, was chosen to honor the Tennant/Gardiner family who are early North Bend residents, calling North Bend home since the mid-1800s and owning the property since 1883. The vision of Gardiner/Tennant family and Heartland,LLC contributed to making the land acquisition a reality.
Here’s some of the history:
Brick and Jane Vinnedge-Tennant were very involved in the community. They were early members of the Snoqualmie Valley Riding Club. Jane was involved with Camp Fire Girls, and the North Bend Auxiliary of Children’s Orthopedic Hospital, currently named Seattle Children’s Hospital. The local branch of this group was renamed the Jane Tennant Guild in her honor and memory. They were also involved with the Mt Si Golf Course. Jane was instrumental in the formation of the Snoqualmie Valley Youth Activity Center.
Brick was the only dentist in the valley until his death in 1961.
Their daughter, Vicki Tennant Bettes, remembers, “People even traveled from Issaquah to Meadowbrook for appointments. When times were tough for some patients payments were varied: a fish, homemade cinnamon rolls, and even a truck load of chicken manure for the lawn and garden.”
Partnering for a Park
According to a City of North Bend press release, thanks to a strong partnership between the City of North Bend, Si View Metropolitan Park District, King County and the Trust for Public Land, the land will be preserved for recreation and education for all to enjoy.
The nearly 32-acre, low impact community park contains on-site trails, a trailhead connecting to adjacent public lands, and environmental conservation and education. The park is home to mature forests, wetlands, creeks, steep topography and glacial erratic rock features.
The Mountains to Sound Greenway and Washington Department of Natural Resources have been critical partners in supporting the project. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance pledged to donate volunteer hours for construction and maintenance to the project to help build multi-use trails designed to accommodate mountain bikes.
A selection committee with representatives from all project partner groups reviewed and selected the park’s new name from entries received from the public.
North Bend City Council approved the new name during the November 7th council meeting and the Si View Metropolitan Parks Commission approved the name at their November 15th meeting.
