Eastrail Partners unifies and catalyzes the Eastrail effort to make the 42-mile Eastrail for everyone,
every day. Collectively we are making great strides in realizing the vision for a fully connected,
multifaceted public space that is more than just a trail. Now is the time to build on that momentum
and realize the full vision for the Eastrail.

Where We Started

Eastrail Partners was founded in 2019 to accelerate development and maximize the value of the 42-
mile Eastrail, a significant rail-to-trail project running along the east side of Lake Washington from
Renton to Snohomish.

The Eastrail is generational opportunity that fosters community, equity, and sustainability for our
region. Eastrail improves access to transit options and to greenspace, decreasing carbon emissions for
our region; produces positive health outcomes for all populations; boosts economic growth through
connections to employment hubs; and connects the diverse communities of the corridor. Eastrail is
major spine of our regional trail network, linking to over 175 miles of existing trails.

This exceptional opportunity requires exceptional community, governmental, and business
partnerships to connect and construct all sections of the trail, and Eastrail Partners has catalyzed
progress by engaging and collaborating with these stakeholders.

In our first three years as an organization, Eastrail Partners hired two full-time staff members; led
partnerships and advocacy resulting in more than $43M total funding to the Eastrail effort, including
securing $9.5M in private sector trail investment; and successfully acquired federal 501c3 nonprofit
status.

The Next Three Years

Now is the time to build on this momentum and realize the full vision for the Eastrail. To achieve this,
Eastrail Partners needs to transition from a start-up stage as an organization to further deliver on our
mission and growing towards our vision for Eastrail.

Vision

Making the Eastrail for everyone, every day

An Eastrail for everyone means a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible trail for anyone wanting to
walk, roll, or stroll. Everyone should see themselves and their communities represented in this effort.

“Every day” reflects a trail that is more than a trail: a flourishing public space that is a part of daily life
connecting to transit options, nature, and communities – neighborhoods, public spaces, jobs, shops,
and more.

Mission

To create a thriving trail that reflects the diversity of the Puget Sound in partnership with
communities, business, and governments to raise awareness, secure trail funding, and connect people
to each other and the trail.

As the only entity solely focused on the Eastrail, Eastrail Partners’ mission demonstrates how our
organization is uniquely positioned to unify and catalyze this effort. Bringing community, business,
and governmental partners together is how we create a multifaceted and equitable trail.

Four Strategic Areas of Focus

The Eastrail Partners board of directors has identified four areas of focus for our work over the next
three years to ensure we continue to lead towards a fully connected Eastrail:

These strategic goals also reinforce the foundational framework approach approved by our
governmental and corridor partners:

GoalsDescriptionOutcomes
Advance Trail Funding for Eastrail in
King County

a. Build ongoing relationships with
lawmakers, community members, and
private sector for trail investment and
advocacy.
b. Partner with trail owners, RAC, and staff
to drive funding strategies, secure
governmental trail funding, and grant and
levy opportunities.
Implement a transparent funding and
advocacy plan to complete remaining
trail gaps for a connected Eastrail
through King County.
Cohesive trail funding plan for all outstanding
Eastrail projects in King County. This includes:
● I-90 Steel Bridge and trail
Woodinville Design and cost estimates
for trail construction
● Acquisition of corridor into Gene Coulon
and planning process for trail
construction
Trail funding plan implemented to allow
support to pivot to Snohomish County project
when ready.
Build Community Support &
Engagement and Inspire Community Oriented Design

a. Authentically involve the community in
creating inclusive events and programs.
b. Increase community opportunities to
engage in Eastrail planning and use,
including trail management and safety.
c. Inspire and lead city government and
incentivize private developers to create
dynamic public spaces along the trail.
Increase community awareness and
engagement in Eastrail through
community-driven infrastructure and
programming.
Trail users are invested in, are proud of,
and feel part of the trail.
● Diverse and historically uninvited
communities are represented on trail, in
programming, and in adjacent
development
● Increased trail usage (both active use and
place-making)
● Eastrail-Oriented Development program
piloted
● Trail ambassadors project piloted
● Engagement and Advocacy with
Snohomish County underway
Expand and Implement Fundraising
Plan for Eastrail Partners

a. Structure and implement a fundraising
program for Eastrail Partners to diversify
and increase revenue sources, including:
Corporate support, Individual donors,
Major donors, Grant opportunities.
Multiyear RAC funding
Future Project Management Contracts
b. Implement marketing for these
priorities.
c. Create organizational funding
opportunities through events and
investment in space activation.
Ensure Eastrail Partners as an
organization has diverse revenue
sources for sustainable, long-term
funding.
Eastrail Partners has acquired new revenue
sources, and grown existing revenue areas, for
sustainable, longer-term funding.
Resulting in: one-to-two years of operating
reserves.
Implement a Holistic Communications
Plan for Eastrail Partners and the Trail

a. Build shared communications plan for
trail to raise awareness and drive
visitorship in partnership with the RAC
b. Implement Strategic Communications
plan that emphasizes Eastrail Partners’ role
as voice of the trail.
Continue to raise awareness,
understanding, and support of the
Eastrail and its potential for Puget Sound
communities, and EP’s role in unifying
and catalyzing the trail effort.
Increased understanding of how Eastrail:
Improves health/wellness,
Creates transportation options, thus
decreasing emissions
Builds community