AS OF SUMMER 2024
Achieving more through partnerships
In 2014, voters approved a Neighborhood Parks & Zoo Improvements and Safety Upgrades Bond that has profoundly enhanced the public spaces where we play, learn and grow together.
Since that time, Parks Tacoma has engaged federal, state and local agencies, along with a host of philanthropic individuals and organizations, to support and enhance almost a quarter of the Bond projects completed to date. Others have worked with us to fully fund additional dynamic park, recreation and zoo experiences to better connect our community with nature and their neighbors.
Whether these new and improved community treasures are familiar to you or new, we invite you to explore these exciting advancements. We’re excited to highlight a few of the projects completed to date as of summer 2024.
View the 2024 bond update report here and see below for recent highlights and a complete project list.
2014 Parks & Zoo Bond: 2024 ReportExpanding the impact of your bond investment
Innovative partnerships, paired with your bond investment, create dynamic public spaces in the most unexpected places. In the 10 years since the passage of our 2014 bond, we have transformed numerous neglected eyesores and industrial wastelands into urban oases that benefit community members and our environment. Hundreds of thousands of visitors have enjoyed Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park since the former smelter site reopened as a stunning regional park destination in 2019. Our strong community relationships allow us to leverage funding from a variety of sources so we can put your bond investment to use strategically and sustainably. In 2021, Cambia Health Solutions generously gifted us with 100% of the funds to improve and expand Dickman Mill Park and restore its historic head saw from its days as a working lumber mill. Since our last bond report, we have continued improving Tacoma’s waterfront with the creation of Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park — an interactive monument to Tacoma history and the joy of play on land with a storied industrial and Indigenous legacy. In Tacoma’s South End, we worked with neighbors and city leaders to redevelop Catherine Ushka’s Gas Station Park — a beloved pocket park born from the ruins of an old gas station. Transforming previously polluted land into public parks is a creative way to create new opportunities for play, restore our natural environment and make the most of your investment.
Collaborating to better serve Tacoma’s kids & neighborhoods
When we learned that Tacoma has the largest park access gap of any major city in Washington, we decided to do something about it. We believe all Tacomans deserve access to quality parks and greenspace within a 10-minute walk of home, and we are making this goal a reality one project at a time. Since our last bond update report in 2022, we have collaborated to bring four new parks to our community — increasing park access for thousands of Tacomans. These new spaces to play include a downtown waterfront gem, beloved pocket park and community schoolyards for entire neighborhoods to enjoy. Your ideas and input are essential to this process, and we are honored to collaborate alongside community to create and enhance these essential recreation spaces that will serve generations to come.
Peck Community Sports Park
Look forward to future park amenities for active and passive recreation, including sport courts, flex-use fields, walking paths, gardens, play and exercise equipment, and open greenspace. The first of two planned multisport fields is under construction now as home base for Stadium High School’s baseball team and will be available for use year-round for youth sports programs — another example of how we are working together with Tacoma Public Schools to better meet the needs of our community! Read the story.
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Portland Avenue Park
Portland Avenue Park has been a hub for recreation and community connection on Tacoma’s Eastside for nearly 100 years. We worked with a community-based steering committee and engaged neighbors through workshops, pop-up events and surveys to reimagine a Portland Avenue Park that:
- Is welcoming to all
- Accommodates multiple users and activities
- Is safe and full of people
- Provides high-quality features
- Connects the park to the community
- Considers current and future users
Highlights from the master plan include a sprayground, skate park, inclusive playground, rugby field, gathering lawn, community art wall, bathrooms, trails and access to the nearby First Creek natural area. Read the story.
learn moreMelanie’s Park: Honoring a local leader and our waterfront history
Land that once housed a steam plant now echoes with children’s shouts of joy and laughter. Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park transformed a place previously blighted by industrial contamination on the Foss Waterway Superfund site into a monument to history, philanthropy and the joy of play. Slides, climbing structures, seating and multiple viewpoints of Tacoma’s waterfront offer activities for all ages. A huge play tower leads kids on a journey through Tacoma history, with a thrilling slide exit! Interpretive signage and artful walkways featuring tribal basket weaving designs connect park visitors to the Puyallup Tribe’s historic and continued relationship with the waterfront. Long before its industrial era, this site was an essential resource for the Puyallup Tribe for fishing and community gatherings. This shoreline destination’s distinct design was possible in large part to generous philanthropic and partnership funding that matched more than half of the bond investment for the park’s development. That support, inspired in large part to honor the life, vision and community spirit of the woman for whom the park is named — Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel — enabled us to fulfill this Tacoma leader’s dream of enhancing the waterfront as a place for families to recreate. Read the story.
Catherine Ushka’s Gas Station Park: Renovating a South Tacoma gem
This beloved pocket park in Tacoma’s South End was born from the determination of neighbors to transform the toxic remains of a gas station into something positive for the community. After decades of use, the park needed upgrades to be safe, fun and welcoming. The park received a complete makeover thanks to funding from your bond investment, the City of Tacoma and a Washington State Department of Commerce grant. Among the many new creative play features is a traffic garden where kids can learn and practice the rules of the road in a safe space. We also added greenspace and trees and made important safety updates to ensure Gas Station Park is a welcoming and enjoyable community space for all neighbors. Read the story.
Community Schoolyards: Enhancing outdoor play for students & neighbors
When school is out, the play doesn’t stop! We have partnered with Tacoma Public Schools and the Trust for Public Land to revitalize schoolyard playgrounds into public parks for the whole neighborhood to enjoy. Tacoma joins other cities nationwide in this initiative led by the Trust for Public Land to transform schoolyards across the country into vibrant community spaces.
This project brings us one step closer to our goal of closing the park access gap in Tacoma. Currently, more than 65,000 Tacomans do not have a park within a 10-minute walk of home — the largest disparity of any major city in Washington. Five planned Community Schoolyards will create new access to nature-filled parks for 25,000 people in our city.
In 2024, we debuted the first Community Schoolyards designed by students and neighbors at Helen B. Stafford and Jennie Reed elementary schools. Community members of all ages now have access to excellent parks in neighborhoods with historically less greenspace.
This project uses the power of partnerships to make the most of your bond investment and increase park access for underserved neighborhoods. Be on the lookout for three more community schoolyards coming soon!
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Stafford Elementary: Students and neighbors alike can climb and swing on a treehouse-themed playground, shoot hoops on a fresh basketball court, or kick a ball on the field. Walking paths, seating and an outdoor amphitheater bring recreation opportunities for all ages to this new community hub. An upgraded drainage system to address the prior issue of flooding ensures year-round recreation for everyone. Read the story.
Reed Elementary: Students no longer have to yell over the sound of interstate traffic at recess thanks to the addition of a new tree line at this Community Schoolyard. Exciting new play equipment and an updated track and basketball court make it a welcoming space for both students and neighbors. Improved water drainage means the fun doesn’t stop in the rainy season. Read the story.
Updating spaces that strengthen our connection with wildlife
Tropical Reef Aquarium: Reopening an oasis
You don’t need a plane ticket to travel to a tropical paradise. The beauty and wonder of warm-water ocean environments are back on display at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium with the reopening of the Tropical Reef Aquarium. The 15,000-square-foot facility, previously known as the South Pacific Aquarium, has transported guests from the Pacific Northwest to a tropical oasis for over three decades and needed restoration. We made critical repairs and improvements behind the scenes to the aquarium’s animal-care structures, habitats and life support systems. We also added exciting new animal species and refreshed the guest space. These updates will allow the Tropical Reef Aquarium to inspire awe, curiosity and conservation action in future generations of guests, supported by your bond investment. Read the story.
Northwest Trek Discovery Tour Station: Creating space for sustainability
Discovery Tram Tours are back at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park with improvements for guests, animals and the environment. View Northwest native animals like moose, elk, bison, bighorn sheep and caribou in the wildlife park’s Free-Roaming Area aboard new immersive and eco-friendly electric trams. Your journey through majestic northwest beauty and wildlife begins at the new tour station. The modern tour station offers more comfort and convenience to guests with spacious, undercover accommodations and expanded space for tram boarding. Read the story.
Tacoma Nature Center: Improving accessibility for all
The trails and interpretive center at Tacoma Nature Center provide free opportunities for Tacomans to connect with native plants and wildlife right in the heart of our city. The 70-acre preserve of wetlands and forest surrounding Snake Lake is teeming with life—from Garry Oaks to Great Horned Owls. We believe it is important for everyone in our community to experience the wonders of wildlife, and we are invested in creating an atmosphere of accessibility for all. Your bond investment funded accessibility improvements to make Tacoma Nature Center welcoming to all visitors with a new entry ramp and enhancements to stairs, doorways, landings and other building features. Read the story.
Preserving outdoor experiences enjoyed for more than a century
Point Defiance Marina: Ensuring access to our waters
The historic Point Defiance Marina has been providing opportunities for Tacomans to access the waters of Puget Sound for over 100 years. You can visit the Marina for boat rentals and storage, fishing supplies and, for brave souls, to take the annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day! We completed major renovations, including replacing worn piles, removing an irreparably damaged pedestrian bridge, installing new decking and drainage systems, completing a full exterior building refresh, and upgrading the sanitary sewer lift station that services Point Defiance Park. These improvements ensure the Marina can continue to serve as a gateway for community members to enjoy and explore our waterways for many years to come.
Meadow Park Golf Course: Driving community connections
Our publicly-owned golf course challenges players of all ages and skill levels to get onto the green. The hole #13 bridge officially reopened for golf cart traffic thanks to your bond investment, which funded vital structural safety improvements. Bond-funded improvements to key features and infrastructure, such as previous enhancements to the driving range, enable Meadow Park Golf
Course to support creative community experiences like Glow Golf and barrier-breaking programs like First Tee of South Puget Sound and Special Olympics.
Enhancing parks with public art
Art builds an understanding of our shared histories, contributes to the vibrant culture of our community, and creates a welcoming and intriguing experience for visitors to our park system. In 2014, we began putting your bond investment toward art by embracing a policy to allocate 1% of the construction costs of capital projects for the creation of permanent public art installations. This led us to create a Public Art Plan that is guiding numerous art projects throughout our District with support from the City of Tacoma’s Office of Arts & Cultural Vitality.
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Hidden but Critical
Not every bond-funded upgrade makes fantastic photos. Many important investments to our parks and zoos take place behind the scenes. These improvements help us care for our assets and serve community better. Look for this symbol (*) to spot more hidden but critical projects like these:
- Making a sustainable splash at Stewart Heights Pool: The pool at Stewart Heights is one of two public outdoor swimming pools in Tacoma, making it a popular destination to beat the heat during summer. We made the pool safer and more sustainable with a new high efficiency boiler and upgrades to the solar heating and control systems.
- More of Charlotte’s Blueberry Park to love: Acquisition of additional property at Charlotte’s Blueberry Park enhances the opportunities for this community food forest to benefit the throngs of visitors to this popular park in southeast Tacoma.
Partnering for community
When it comes to fulfilling our bond promises, Parks Tacoma doesn’t go it alone. Through partnerships, Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park was built, Catherine Ushka’s Gas Station Park was fully renovated and the dream of Community Schoolyards became a reality. Look for this symbol ($) to see all the projects that have benefited from successful grants, collaboration and shared vision.
View Completed Projects Timeline
Scan the timeline for a project then use the number to locate it on the map below.
Key:
*=hidden-but-crucial projects
$=partner funding
2015
69 Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Equipment Upgrades *
69 Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Water Meters *
69 Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Kids’ Zone Exhibit Improvements *
46 Meadow Park Golf Course Irrigation Control System *
69 Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Capital Improvement Development Plan *
2016
86 Swan Creek Park House Removal *
69 Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium High Voltage Switch Gear *
53 Northwest Trek Kids’ Trek $
67 Point Defiance Marina Boathouse Facility Assessment *
45 McKinley Park Pond Renovation
80 SERA Multipurpose Field $
69 PDZA Rocky Shores Exhibit *
68 PD Japanese Garden Design *
PP Cheney Stadium Playground Partnership $
61 People’s Pool $
23 Garfield Park Subsurface Drainage *
00 Centralized Data Backup System *
80 SERA Baseball Complex Lighting Update $
65 Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Capital Development Program Plan & ADA Path Improvements *
91 Vassault Park Irrigation Pump Upgrade *
53 NWT Infrastructure Upgrades *
53 NWT Off-Exhibit Animal Facilities *
2017
69 PDZA Underwater Viewing Window Improvements
83 STAR Center HVAC, Tot Trek & Party Room Improvements *
86 Swan Creek Park Tacoma Housing Authority Property Acquisition *
69 PDZA South Pacific Aquarium Energy-Efficient Windows *
93 Wapato Hills Park Master Plan Phase 1 $
93 Wapato Hills Park Trail Improvements $
86 Swan Creek Park Mountain Bike Trails, Phase 2 $
46 MPGC Equipment Purchase *
64 Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park Capping $
69 PDZA Temporary Holding & Storage Facility *
94 Wapato Park Lake Water Quality Improvement *
69 PDZA Exhibit Signage Updates
86 Swan Creek Park Habitat Restoration Forest Management *
63 PD Visitor Center Trolley Stop
69 PDZA Sea Lion Exhibit Facility Assessment *
PP Prairie Line Trail Partnership $
96 Wright Park Maintenance & Conservatory Tech Infrastructure Updates *
49 Neighbors Park Drinking Fountain
PP Meeker Middle School Multipurpose Field Development
2018
96 Wright Park Bridge Reconstruction
97 W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory New Public Restroom
63 PD Trail Connection to Environmental Learning Center
63 PD Roundabout at Pearl Street Park Entry $
94 Wapato Park Lake Dock Reconstruction $
69 PDZA Arctic Tundra Feasibility Study *
89 Titlow Park Kay’s House Demo/Beach Restoration *$
69 PDZA Parking Area Improvements Feasibility Study *
69 PDZA Pacific Seas Aquarium $
9 Charlotte’s Blueberry Park Improvements *
00 Archive Software Update *
17 Eastside Community Center $
86 Swan Creek Park Pedestrian Bridge Partnership $
63 PD Master Plan DRA *
2019
PP Foss HS Softball Field Partnership $
69 PDZA Muskoxen Off-exhibit Improvements *
69 PDZA IT Improvements and Generator *
Calsense Irrigation Controls Install:
33 Jefferson Park *
24 George B. Kandle Playfield *
48 Parks Tacoma Headquarters *
52 Northeast Tacoma Playground *
50 Norpoint Park *
55 Oakland/Madrona Park *
80 SERA Campus *
81 South Park *
82 Stanley Playfield *
89 Titlow Park *
94 Wapato Park *
75 Ruston Way Waterwalk *
96 Wright Park *
69 PDZA Picnic Pavilion
69 PDZA Kids’ Zone Play Area Improvements
69 PDZA Seawater System Improvements *
63 PD Green House Relocation
75 Ruston Way Envision Our Waterfront Planning *$
00 POS and Program Registration Software $
3 Browns Point Lighthouse Park ADA Improvements $
69 PDZA Kids’ Zone Goat Fence Upgrades
43 Manitou Park Fencing
00 Telephone System *
63 Point Defiance/Ruston Way Connector Trail, Wilson Way Bridge & Multi-Use Parking Lot $
64 Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance $
63 PD Ferry Restroom Feasibility *
61 People’s Pool Facility Upgrades $
69 PDZA Asian Forest Sanctuary Exhibit Improvements *
69 PDZA Upgrades to Animal Food Refrigeration *
84 Stewart Heights Park Court Renovation
89 Titlow Park Garage Expansion for Youth Program Supply Storage *
67 PD Marina Complex Boat Lift Improvements
00 Web Development
2020
69 PDZA Elevator Improvements *
89 Titlow Park Site Survey and Demolition of Former TOA Clubhouse/Structures *
54 Oak Tree Park Green Space Restoration
75 Ruston Way Waterwalk Restroom
53 NWT Grizzly Bear Exhibit Improvements
46 MPGC Facilities Improvements
7 Center at Norpoint Roof Improvements
69 PDZA Filtration Improvements *
2021
86 Swan Creek Park Mechanical Upgrades *
86 Swan Creek Park Street Vacations $
00 System Efficiencies Metasys Upgrades *
17 Eastside Community Center Billy Ray Memorial Art $
14 Dash Point Park & Pier Engineering Review and Assessment Report *
3 Browns Point Lighthouse Park Vehicle Barrier Improvement *
65 Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Exterior Wireless *
2022
86 Swan Creek Park Uplands Improvements $
97 W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory Restoration $
63 PD Owen Beach Improvements $
71 Portland Avenue Park Wading Pool Demo *
4 Browns Point Playfield Court Improvements & Pickleball Striping
87 Tacoma Nature Center ADA Improvements
80 SERA Playground Resurfacing $
9 Charlotte’s Blueberry Park Land Acquisition *
PP Dawson Playfield Land Transfer
2023
63 PD Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Improvements *
67 PD Marina Major Renovations
53 NWT Electric Tram Tour Station
85 Stewart Heights Pool Improvements *
71 Portland Avenue Park Master Plan *
5 Catherine Ushka’s Gas Station Park
46 MPGC Bridge Repair
59 Peck Field Master Plan *
Calsense Irrigation Controls Install
63 Point Defiance Park *
43 Manitou Park *
19 Edna Travis Park *
23 Garfield Park *
57 Old Town Park *
91 Vassault Park *
93 Wapato Hills Park *
92 Verlo Playfield *
27 Heidelberg/Davis Park *
71 Portland Avenue Park *
62 People’s Park *
45 McKinley Park *
41 Lincoln Park/Eldridge Playfield *
58 Optimist Park *
32 Jane Clark Park *
30 Irving Park *
2024
47 Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park $
28 Helen B. Stafford Community Schoolyard $
34 Jennie Reed Community Schoolyard $
*= Hidden-but-crucial
$= Partner funding
District Map
