OUR MISSION
The Yakima Greenway Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of nearly 20 miles of trails, pathways and parks along the Naches and Yakima River between the towns of Naches and Union Gap.
OUR Core Values
Throughout the Greenways growth, we continue to uphold the same core values that supported the original vision:
Stewardship
The Greenway is more than just a pathway. It encompasses sensitive riparian ecosystems and valuable habitat for the many species that call the Yakima Valley home. It is one responsibility of the Greenway to better understand and monitor these ecosystems, preserve, protect, and restore them for the long term, and crucially, educate the public on the importance of this stewardship.
Recreation
The residents of the Yakima Valley benefit greatly from access to the physical recreation opportunities, social events, and access to open space that the Greenway provides. The Greenway works to identify ways to better connect surrounding communities to these benefits and expand opportunities for outdoor access and physical activity. At the same time, we strive to ensure that recreation can exist harmoniously with the natural processes at work in this area.
Community
The Greenway is a place that all residents of the Yakima Valley can be proud of—a welcoming, peaceful, and beautiful reflection of what makes our region unique. It serves as an invitation to the landscape, flora, and fauna of the area, as well as a reflection of our values and cultural heritage. Our job is to uphold this corridor as a place where locals can take pride in our shared home and visitors can gain an appreciation for its beauty.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As the greater Yakima Valley grows and changes, the vision of the Greenway as protected open space for recreation and ecological conservation must be upheld and expanded. There remains dedicated support in the Yakima Valley for a Greenway that continues to connect communities to this trail network and its many benefits.
However, growth and development pressures can create competing interests that limit these opportunities. As we have done for half a century, we must look ahead to ensure that the dream of the Greenway thrives and grows to meet the needs of our community and the natural environment.