Community Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Doc Tait Pavilion
After years of planning, fundraising, and community support, the Doc Tait Pavilion in Buckley is officially open! On August 7, 2025, the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition and the City of Buckley welcomed trail supporters, families, and community leaders to celebrate this exciting milestone together.
We were especially honored to have Dr. Douglas “Doc” Tait’s children—Maura, Garnette, and Garth—and their families in attendance, as well as Heidi and Gretchen, daughters of trail founder Stan Engle. Their presence made the celebration deeply personal, reminding us that the Foothills Trail began with a handful of passionate community members whose legacy lives on today.
The ceremony featured remarks from longtime trail champions and civic leaders. Robin Partington reflected on Doc Tait’s role as the “Father of the Foothills Trail,” sharing more about who he was and the vision he carried. She reminded the crowd that “this pavilion is not just about one person—it represents the dedication of so many who refused to give up on the Foothills Trail.” Former Pierce County Parks Director Jan Wolcott spoke to the transformation of a bold vision into reality. Buckley Mayor Beau Burkett highlighted what the pavilion means for the city and its residents, while Councilmember Dave Morell closed the program by sharing reflections on the trail’s future.
The pavilion itself is the product of a remarkable collaboration. Parametrix designed interpretive signage to share the trail’s story in an authentic community voice, with the panels fabricated and installed by Plumb Signs. Bruce Dees & Associates managed project design, bidding, and construction oversight. And WS Contractors brought the vision to life, building the structure that now stands as a centerpiece along the Foothills Trail.
More than a building, the pavilion is designed to serve as a true hub for the trail. It provides a place to rest, gather, and learn—hosting community events, sharing interpretive history, and offering a welcoming trailhead for visitors of all ages.
Inside the pavilion, a donor recognition wall reads: “Thank you for supporting trails. Together we are making Doc Tait’s vision a reality.” That message reflects the generosity of all who gave—individuals, families, foundations, and community partners—whose support brought this project to life.
We also acknowledge the many Trail Champions whose vision and perseverance over four decades shaped the Foothills Trail. Their legacy is honored through our Trail Champions archive, available at foothillscoalition.org/trail-champions.
As the evening drew to a close, Dr. Tait’s daughter Garnette shared with Executive Director Breanna Fokes that her father would most likely have looked at the pavilion and said with characteristic humility, “you shouldn’t have.” Breanna closed her remarks by offering the community’s response: “Well… we did.”
The Doc Tait Pavilion now stands as both a tribute to the trail’s beginnings and a promise for its future—a welcoming gathering place where stories are told, connections are built, and generations will continue to experience the power of community vision.
