Ten Trails residents of elementary school age attend the nearby Black Diamond Elementary School where small class sizes, a whole-child based mission and focus on technology in the classrooms creates a robust learning environment for children. Read on to learn more about this brand new school located in historic Black Diamond, WA and their newest Principal, Tim Lee.

Black Diamond Elementary School Mission and Strategic Plan 

The school’s strategic plan incorporates a mission of Habits, Hands & Heart and Head, ensuring the equity of all students achieving at high levels. School staff aligns resources to support the students and community-based learning. Instruction focuses on the whole child, ensuring that each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged. The school maintains a focus on instructional improvement to create positive, powerful learning experiences for students, each period, each day.

Instruction to Focus on the Whole Child 

Principal Tim Lee, emphasizes that the school’s curriculum is focused on promoting the long-term success of students through an approach that treats each child as an individual with his or her own unique learning style and needs. Because of the schools’ small class sizes and relatively small student body, Lee and his educators can have one-on-one interaction with each child, and also quickly intervene when a child may need extra assistance both academically and emotionally. The school organizes small groups designed to help children with a wide range of life and family challenges such a grief, divorce and social and emotional skills.

Technology in the Black Diamond Elementary School Classrooms 

Teachers at the Black Diamond Elementary School embrace the use of technology in the classroom and offer students the use of Chromebooks as part of their daily work plan. Inside the modern classrooms in the new school, teachers’ instruction is conducted on projector screens versus traditional chalk or dry erase boards. The elementary students can be found sitting in non-traditional grouping of “pods” of desks or other configurations of groupings to encourage collaboration and small-group based learning. Lee emphasizes that this group-based learning helps prepare students for when they eventually enter the workforce where tasks are conducted largely in group settings. The school is also proud of their robotics program that allows students to work together to write code to make a small robot perform basic functions.

Emphasis on Literacy 

Black Diamond Elementary School places a strong emphasis on literacy with students taking part in a minimum of one hour of small group reading per day. The school library offers students access to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction texts as well as life-skills programs to teach students about how to avoid plagiarism when writing, and how to navigate the internet safely. Black Diamond Elementary School is located just a few miles from Ten Trails at 25314 Baker St, Black Diamond, WA 98010. Keep up with all the latest news and information by following the school on their Facebook page. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com  

Ichijo Now Selling Single Family Homes at Ten Trails

Ichijo is now selling single-family homes in the community! Their two new single-family home floorplans, the Cottonwood and the Maplewood, range in size from  2,287 to 2,449 square feet. These new homes feature open floorplans, gas fireplaces, covered outdoor patios and two-car garages. Like Ichijo’s duet models at Ten Trails,  these new homes also include energy-saving technologies and modern storage solutions.

Energy Savings Features 

The new Ichijo single-family homes at Ten Trails feature high-quality, precision factory-assembled walls that are energy efficient, providing up to one-third savings on energy bills. Each home also comes with a Nest learning thermostat to help homeowners save money on their energy bills by learning their heating and cooling habits. As an added bonus, these homes are solar-ready, so homeowners can opt to add solar panels after purchasing.

Technological Features

Ichijo homeowners love the technological and storage solution features that are included with their homes. The Cottonwood and Maplewood feature custom-made cabinet organizers, adjustable tray dividers, knife holders, pull-down shelving, spice racks, under-cabinet lighting, dual slide windows, and earthquake safety lock cabinet door hardware.

Visit Ichijo at Ten Trails to Learn More

Visit the Ichijo duet model at Ten Trails to learn more about these upcoming single-family homes! Their office is open seven days a week. Stop by the Ten Trails Welcome Center for a map to Ichijo’s office and to get some community information! 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com    

Five Reasons to Check out the Green River Gorge this Year | Ten Trails News and Blog

Ten Trails residents enjoy an active lifestyle close to outdoor activities and area recreational destinations like the nearby Green River Gorge. Read more to find out five reasons you should explore this local conservation site this year!

Search for Local Wildlife

The Green River Gorge is home to abundant wildlife like deer, elk, and black bear. Bald eagles have also been spotted in the area, and Chinook salmon use the Green River as their spawning grounds in the fall.

Hike the Hanging Gardens Trail

The 150-foot white sandstone cliffs of the Green River Gorge are home to native plants and some small cedar trees which cling to the cliff’s edge and give the Hanging Gardens Trail its name. Access to the trail is tricky as the trailhead is unmarked. Hikers can look for the red gate on the north side of Enumclaw/Franklin Road SE and take a short walk down the road to a primitive trail that leads down to the Green River and offers views of the cliff gardens.

Go Tubing on the Green River

In the summer months, the Green River is a popular tubing site for locals who are looking for some relief from the heat. Popular tubing routes are from Flaming Geyser Park to the SR18 Bridge (2.5 hours) or from Flaming Geyser to Whitney Bridge (45 minutes.) Be sure to wear a life vest and keep an eye out for local kayakers who are also known to spend time navigating these portions of the river.

View the Maid of the Mist Falls

Also commonly known as the “Green River Gorge Falls” the 50-foot Maid of the Mist waterfall is clearly visible with just a short hike from the historic Franklin Ghost Town trail. The trail is part of privately-owned land, but the public is welcome to visit the falls and tour the Franklin Ghost Town trail for a $5 fee.

Search for Fossils and Petrified Wood 

The Green River has been known to wash up the ancient remains of plant and wildlife and visitors to the Green River Gorge have come across fossils and petrified wood while strolling the riverbanks. Bring the kids and let them have a blast playing archaeologist for the day while hunting for prehistoric treasures. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com  

Get to Know the Ten Trails Civic Park

If you haven’t checked out our Civic Park yet, you need to do so soon! This 1.2-acre park is located in the heart of the community and boasts a number of great amenities for residents and the public to enjoy. The Civic Park also serves as the hub of all activity during our many community events!

Award-Winning Design

This November, the Washington Society for Landscape Architects (WASLA) recognized the landscape designers of the Civic Park at Ten Trails with an award of merit for excellent design work. Jurors for the award noted the park’s wide range of play equipment and social amenities like the event lawn, stage, restrooms, and picnic area.

Playground Equipment

The park’s unique and thoughtful design is evident when visiting its playground area. Two long slides are built into a landscaped hillside, which also features a meandering sloped gravel pathway flanked by native flowering plants. A large play structure is complimented by a jungle gym, todder play house, and basket swing.

Sports Courts

Our Civic Park has a sports court with two basketball hoops and an extra supply of basketballs for visitors to use. Adjacent to the sports court are two bocce ball courts complete with sets of balls and an instructional sign so that those who are new to the sport can learn to enjoy it.

Event Space

A striking outdoor pavilion serves as both a stage for events held in the community as well as the screen area for summer movie nights in the park. The entire pavilion is surrounded by a large, grassy event lawn which doubles as extra play space for neighborhood team sports when not used for community events. 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com  

Nearby Events this Holiday Season If you didn’t get enough holiday fun at our Hometown Holiday event last weekend, don’t fret! Ten Trails residents still have plenty of activities to choose from to celebrate this magical time of year!

December 14^th Hometown Christmas in Black Diamond

From 10 am until 3 pm on December 14^th, head to historic downtown Black Diamond for the Black Diamond Historical Society’s annual Hometown Christmas event! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as Frosty the Snowman and take part in a ton of activities like cookie-decorating, face-painting, and more! All are welcome, and the kids’ activities are free.

December 14^th Christmas Rush Fun Run and Walk                  

Before heading to Hometown Christmas, bring the family to nearby Kent for the Christmas Rush Fun Run/Walk at Hogan Park. Registration begins at 8 am, the 10k runners start at 9:50 am and the 5K at 10 am. Registration is open until the day of the event and costs $25 per participant.

Now through January 5^th: Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium 

Take a quick drive to nearby Tacoma for their annual Zoolights holiday display! 700,000 LED lights transform the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium into a winter wonderland complete with 3D animal light displays sure to dazzle the youngest members of your family.

Holiday Lights at Ten Trails 

Bundle up and take a stroll or family drive through Ten Trails during any given evening this holiday season to check out our spectacular holiday lights display! Our common areas, Welcome Center, and many of our residential homes are lit up with holiday cheer. For even more holiday events in the Puget Sound area check out Seattle Times’ Winter Guide! www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043    

Year-End Savings on New Homes at Ten Trails 

The year is coming to an end and that means big savings for home buyers at Ten Trails! Two of our builder partners are offering some great incentives right now on select inventory in the community. These offers won’t last forever…Visit Ten Trails in the next few weeks to take advantage of these great deals!

Home for the Holidays Promotion by Conner Homes

Right now, Conner Homes at Ten Trails is offering a $10K Buyer Bonus for their three and four bedroom, single-family homes at Ten Trails! The bonus can be used towards options, upgrades, appliances, closing costs, HOA dues, or loan programs on the purchase of select homes at Ten Trails with the use of Conner Homes’ preferred lender. Home buyers must close escrow by December 31, 2019. Some exclusions apply, see the Conner Homes model at Ten Trails for all the details on this limited time offer!

Limited-Time Offer from MainVue Homes

MainVue Homes at Ten Trails has a limited time offer for homebuyers! Select MainVue Homes in the community are eligible for a $15,000 bonus offer that can be used your way plus free Electrolux appliances including refrigerator, washer, dryer and pedestals. Pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice, visit the MainVue model home at Ten Trails for details and exclusions! www.TenTrails.com 360.469.4043

Visit the Nearby Black Diamond Library

The Black Diamond Library is a wonderful local resource for residents of Ten Trails, and is located within walking or biking distance from the community via the new Roberts Drive Rock Creek Bridge. The library provides programs for children and families, art workshops, and Family Story Time events on select Mondays throughout the year.

Origin of the Black Diamond Library

The City of Black Diamond has had a library in one form or another since 1917, when volunteers gathered book donations and began a library in a small room in the old Pacific Coast Hotel. As the donations increased and space became limited, the library had to be moved to the nearby former railroad depot which today is known as the Black Diamond Historical Museum Depot.

Historical Timeline for the Black Diamond Library

During WWII, the library had to shut down due to lack of volunteers available to run it. To help ensure the residents of Black Diamond still had access to books, the King County Rural Library District (known today as the King County Library System) began offering mobile book lending services twice a month to residents. The library reopened in June of 1945 in the old depot building with new books and was designated as a branch of the King County Rural Library District. The library remained at the depot for 12 more years until it was relocated to a small cottage on Lawson Street. There it remained until 1968 when it was moved to the city’s new municipal building. The library was fully annexed into the King County Library System in 1990 and operated out of a leased space from 1991 until the new building that exists today was opened in 2008.

Black Diamond Library Today 

Today, the Black Diamond library is located at 24707 Roberts Drive, just shy of one mile from the Willow Avenue entrance to Ten Trails. The beautiful new building was designed by architects at the Miller Hull Partnership to reflect the late 19^th century architecture that is predominant in the city. On a clear day, the library offers stunning views of Mount Rainier from the main reading area.

Friends of the Black Diamond Library 

Residents of Ten Trails are encouraged to get involved with their local library. The Friends of the Black Diamond Library group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5pm in the library’s conference room. Dues are $5, and the group holds fundraisers throughout the year to benefit the library including the annual book sale and an annual plant sale held on the first Saturday each May. The library is having a book sale this Thursday, October 17^th from 10 am to 6 pm. Purchase used books, videos and CDs at bargain prices to help support library programming throughout the year. www.TenTrails.com 360-469-4043

It was another fun and festive Labor Days event weekend in historic Black Diamond, WA. Ten Trails was happy to see a lot of familiar faces and new resident stopping by our booth. We hope to see everyone at next year’s event!  

Black Diamond Labor Days Festival 2019 

Residents of Ten Trails enjoy living in the historic City of Black Diamond—a city rich in coal-mining history and steeped in traditions like their annual Labor Days festival. This good, old-fashioned, small-town celebration epitomizes the strong sense of local community that Ten Trails proudly fosters. This three-day weekend event offers something for everyone – kids, adults, dogs, pie-bakers, music lovers, Black Diamond residents, and visitors from afar! Join attendees for a parade, games, vendors, music, movie, and more! The festivities run August 31^st – September 2^nd and are free of charge.

Movie Night at the School Field 

A showing of the popular movie Captain Marvel will kick off Labor Days at dusk on Saturday, August 31^st at the field behind Black Diamond Elementary School. Sunday, September 1^st  event highlights include vendor booths, live music, doggie day, games, and a pie-baking contest.

Labor Days Parade 

The Labor Days parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2^nd. The parade route goes along a portion of Hwy 169, where families line up to watch and children eagerly await the arrival of candy handed out by members of the parade procession. Following the parade, there will be more games, vendors, refreshments, and entertainment at the school field. Labor Days official buttons, designed by a local student contest winner Ayden Washington, are sold for $1.00. Every button purchase comes with a raffle ticket for a grand prize drawing held on Monday, September 2^nd.

Stop by the Ten Trails Booth 

Ten Trails is a proud participant and sponsor of Black Diamond Labor Days. Stop by our booth for some Ten Trails giveaways! For more information on this festival and a schedule of events go to www.blackdiamondlabordays.org/ 360.469.4043 www.TenTrails.com