Northwest Trek facts for kids
Male (bull) Roosevelt elk as seen on Tram Tour
|
|
| Date opened | 1975 |
|---|---|
| Location | Eatonville, Washington, United States |
| Land area | 723 acres (293 ha) |
| Coordinates | 46°54′58″N 122°16′19″W / 46.9161515°N 122.2718239°W |
| No. of animals | 200+ |
| No. of species | about 38 |
| Memberships | AZA |
| Major exhibits | Free-Roaming Area |
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a huge wildlife park located in Eatonville, Washington, United States. It covers about 723 acres, which is like 723 football fields! The main attraction is a special tram tour. This tour takes visitors through a 435-acre area where animals roam freely, just like in the wild.
Northwest Trek is officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This means it meets high standards for animal care. The park and its sister zoo, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, are both run by Metro Parks Tacoma.
Contents
How Northwest Trek Started
In 1971, David and Connie Hellyer gave their vacation land near Eatonville to Metro Parks Tacoma. They wanted it to become a place where wildlife could be protected. The park officially opened its doors in 1975.
Over the years, people voted to approve special funding to help improve the park. This money helped build many new exhibits. Some of these include the snowy owl exhibit (1982) and the great horned owl exhibit (1985).
Other cool additions were the Cat Country exhibit (1987) and the barn owl exhibit (1988). A special place for kids, the Cheney Discovery Center, opened in 1989. Later, a wolf exhibit (1992) and a grizzly and black bear exhibit (1993) were added. The park also opened a picnic area in 1995 and a coyote/red fox exhibit in 2003.
In 2000, voters approved a sales tax increase. This money helps fund Northwest Trek, the Point Defiance Zoo, and other parks. It provides about half of the park's income. The park also opened the Hellyer Natural History Center. This is a special lab and classroom for students and scientists.
The park grew even bigger in 2005 when 100 more acres were bought. This helped protect the tram route and gave more space for animal research. In 2007, another 7 acres were added, making the park almost 723 acres in total.
Exploring the Park's Areas
Northwest Trek is divided into three main parts. These are the tram tour area, the walking tour area, and the nature trails. Each area offers a different way to experience the park and its animals.
The Exciting Tram Tour
The tram tour is the most popular part of Northwest Trek. Visitors get on a tram and go on a guided ride. The tram travels through a huge 435-acre area where animals live freely.
On the tram tour, you can see many amazing animals. These include bighorn sheep, bison, and mountain goats. You might also spot black-tailed deer, moose, and Roosevelt elk. Other animals to look for are white-tailed deer, woodland caribou, barren-ground caribou, and trumpeter swans.
The Walking Tour Adventure
The walking tour area is where you can see animals in special enclosures. It's more like a traditional zoo. This area has two "learning centers" with fun, hands-on activities for kids. There's also a theater where you can watch a video about the park's history.
You'll also find a cafeteria and a gift shop here. As you walk along the paths, you can enjoy many different native plants. Some of these plants are even labeled so you can learn what they are.
Many different animal species live in the walking tour area. You can see American black bears and grizzly bears. There are also birds like bald eagles, golden eagles, and different kinds of owls, including barn owls and snowy owls.
Other animals include honey bees, gopher snakes, and western pond turtles. You might also spot bobcats, cougars, and Canadian lynx. Wolves, red foxes, and wolverines also live here. Don't forget to look for North American beavers, river otters, and raccoons!
Discovering Nature Trails
Northwest Trek has five miles of nature trails. These trails are perfect for visitors who want to walk and explore the natural environment. It's a great way to see the park's beauty up close.
Fun Learning Centers
The walking tour area has two special learning centers. These are the Cheney Family Discovery Center and the Baker Research Cabin. Both places offer animals and hands-on activities that are perfect for kids.
Cheney Family Discovery Center
The Cheney Family Discovery Center is located near where you board the tram. Here, visitors can touch different fur pelts from animals that live in the Pacific Northwest. You can also join in fun crafts for children.
This center is home to several animal species. You can see rubber boas, western toads, and honey bees. There are also gopher snakes and western pond turtles to observe.
Baker Research Cabin
The Baker Research Cabin is found between the gray wolf and red fox exhibits. Inside the cabin, you can see wolves. You can also use special cameras to view coyotes and red foxes from a distance.
