
Good parks, open space and program services contribute to:
- Economic Development – by fostering economic benefits and promoting tourism.
- Environmental Health – by providing green infrastructure and help manage climate change.
- Social Well-being – by revitalizing communities, creating safer neighborhoods, helping children learn and grow, improving public and environmental health, and supporting smart growth.
- Cultural Understanding – by providing open space and program services that nurture a sense of place in the community, and provide opportunities to engage the public of diverse backgrounds.
Our Mission
Creating healthy opportunities to play, learn and grow.
Our Vision
Parks Tacoma envisions a vibrant, active and engaged community.
Our Core Values
These eight core values will guide future decisions, business and operations, and the manner in which Parks Tacoma treats staff, customers and the community:
- Innovation
Parks Tacoma will seek and support innovative and creative ways to deal with issues and trends in our
community and the organization. We (all staff members) will embrace change and encourage flexibility
so that the District can benefit from new and unique opportunities. - Excellence
Parks Tacoma will strive for excellence, providing exceptional parks, facilities, programs and customer
service. - Equity
Parks Tacoma will provide parks, facilities and program services in a just, fair and equitable manner, so that
residents from all neighborhoods and of diverse backgrounds can access parks and program services
in a non-discriminatory manner. - Inclusiveness
Parks Tacoma strives to provide accessible, affordable, accommodating and welcoming parks and program
services to diverse residents and regional visitors regardless of age, ability, race, ethnicity and income
level. We commit to respect and honor the diversity of people, ideas and cultures within the organization
and the community. - Sustainability
Parks Tacoma shares United Nations’ understanding of sustainability to mean “meeting the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Parks Tacoma believes
that all decisions will have long-term and regional impacts on the environment, society, culture and economy.
We commit to practicing sustainability by considering a full range of defined impacts in order to make
balanced and responsible decisions. - Accountability
Parks Tacoma will be responsive, transparent and accountable to the people we serve. We will carry out our mission in a manner that builds public trust. Parks Tacoma will engage the public and make decisions in an
open and candid manner responsive to the changing needs of the diverse community. - Safety
Parks Tacoma will provide safe and inviting parks, recreation facilities and program services for social interaction,
learning and enjoyment. - Fun
Parks Tacoma recognizes the importance of play in the lives of all residents regardless of age. We will build our
community on a foundation of fun!