Instead of counting down to the new year, Northwest Trek was counting up as 2015 was ending. Every visitor through the gates at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park by Dec. 31 added to a record-breaking year for attendance at the Eatonville-area wildlife park. The new high was reached in the morning of 2016's final day when a family of five from Bremerton walked through the turnstile. James and Kelly Weed and Maya, 7, Juliet, 5, and Elizabeth, 4, were the ceremonial record-setters. By the time the park closed that day at 3 p.m., the total visitor count for the year was 214,696. The old record of 214,195 had stood for 22 years. The new standard was a fitting end to a year-long celebration of Northwest Trek's 40th anniversary, said facilities manager Dan Belting. "We are thrilled that we achieved this milestone during what has been a very special year for us,GÇ¥ said Belting, who gave the Weeds a one-year membership to the wildlife park for free admission in honor of their record-setting visit. Belting said Trek officials are "gratified that our care and concern for wildlife and messages about nature reach so many people from across the Puget Sound region and around the nation.GÇ¥ That also translates to a positive financial impact locally. Studies by Tacoma Metro Parks, which operates Northwest Trek, have placed the economic benefits of Northwest Trek in the millions of dollars in connection with visitor spending regionally. Trek officials said added attractions for the wildlife park in 2015 included the birth in the spring of American bison and Roosevelt elk calves, bighorn sheep lambs and deer calves. And on July 17, the park's 40th birthday, a moose calf was born at the park for the first time in 15 years. The newborns and other animals inhabit the park's 435-acre free-roam area for visitors to view during a 50-minute narrated tour aboard a heated tram. In addition, visitors can walk forested pathways to see exhibits of Northwest animals such as wolves, foxes, lynx, beavers, fishers, river otters and owls. In celebration of its attendance milestone, Northwest Trek extended a special kids-free promotion through Jan. 3. Up to four children 12 and younger were admitted free with each paying adult. The promotion had been scheduled to end Dec. 31.
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