Following unprecedented recent success, the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation is bolstering its leadership team to meet new opportunities and public demand for improvements to parks and trails on the island.

Executive director Barb Trafton is stepping into the new role of projects director, with a focus on trails planning, acquisition, funding and development along with continuing activities to provide improvements to Bainbridge parks. The move capitalizes on Trafton’s experience for working with private landowners, the Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, the city and other stakeholders.

The foundation will be seeking a new full-time executive director to assume overall leadership of the organization. Applications are being taken, with the closing date Jan. 22. Go to www.biparksfoundation.org for details.

Trafton joined the foundation as its first paid employee in 2014. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to include a part-time staff of four, raising more than $2.6 million in private funding over five years in support of park and trail projects.

The foundation partners with neighboring communities, local governments, landowners and donors to implement its projects. Successes since

2014 include creation of Owen’s Playground at Rotary Park, in-process development of the new KidsUp Playground at Battle Point Park, ongoing

environmental restoration at Blakely Harbor Park and Moritani Preserve, community-led initiatives like the Founders Courts Pickleball plaza at Battle Point

Park and the Old Mill Trail; acquisition of the Blakely Hill trail complex and a community grants program for smaller projects.

The foundation has also emerged as a leading initiator for public trails, playing a key role in acquisition and development with the park district and the city. With numerous projects in the works and growing public interest, the foundation will expand its role in 2021 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.