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Parks Tacoma

4702 S. 19th St.
Tacoma, WA 98405

Directions

Customer Service
Monday-Friday
8:30 am-5:00 pm

Fax: (253) 759-9286
Phone: View phone numbers below

Federal Tax ID Number: 91-6000988

 

Parks Tacoma is committed to the timely response to incidents and conditions that interfere with our parks and recreation experiences. We pledge to provide an initial response to all inquiries and concerns within two business days.

 

Contacts

Phone List by Facility and/or Department

Parks and Recreation

Zoological and Environmental Education

Planning and Development

Business Administration

Other Helpful Numbers

Wild Animals

 

Provide Feedback or Share a Compliment

Share a Compliment or Ask a Question

At Parks Tacoma, we value hearing from you. Not just when something needs fixing, but also when something goes right.

Email Us

Please email us to:

  • Share a great experience you had at a park, program, or event
  • Recognize a Parks Tacoma staff member who went above and beyond
  • Let us know what you love about your favorite park or facility
  • Ask a general question or offer a suggestion

 

Report a Concern or Ask a Question

Report a Concern or Ask a Question

Parks Tacoma is committed to the timely correction of incidents and conditions that interfere with the park and recreation experience.

Email Us

Please email us to:

  • Report maintenance problems such as broken playground equipment
  • Alert us to non-urgent safety issues
  • Report concerns about a Parks Tacoma staff member
  • Report recurring unsafe misuse of parks and community centers.
  • Ask a question

Additional contact methods:

  • Weekends: On weekends you may contact our on-call park manager at (253) 305-1035
  • Emergencies: If you are witnessing an emergency please call 911 immediately.
  • Homeless Encampments: To report a homeless encampment click here.

 

Media Contacts

Parks Tacoma

Public Information Officer
Stacia Glenn
[email protected], (253) 345-0948

On weekends and holidays please call (253) 345-4608

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Marketing, Communications, & Corporate Relations Manager
Mick Szydlowski
[email protected], (253) 404-3637

 

Staff Leadership

Interim Executive Director

Tony Piasecki

[email protected]
Tony leads Parks Tacoma on an interim basis while the Park Board conducts a search for a new permanent executive director.

Director of Parks and Recreation

George Schaaf

[email protected]
George leads the Parks & Recreation Department which provides opportunities for people to play, learn and grow through a comprehensive system of parks, facilities, natural areas, attractions, services and programs.

Deputy Director – Regional Parks & Attractions

Joe Brady

[email protected], (253) 320-0655
Joe oversees the operation and planning of the regional parks and attractions under Parks Tacoma’s ownership.
Read Joe’s Bio

Director of Zoological & Environmental Education

Alan Varsik

[email protected], (253) 404-3631
Alan leads Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
Read Alan’s Bio

Deputy Director – Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Rick Dietz

[email protected], (360) 832-7150
Rick oversees all operations and staff at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, supporting the ZEED director
Read Rick’s Bio

Deputy Director – Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Sarah Oliver

[email protected], (253) 404-3632
Sarah oversees all operations and staff at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, supporting the ZEED director.
Read Sarah’s Bio

Interim Director of Business Administration & Planning

Gwen Voelpel

[email protected], (253) 448-1343
Gwen leads the department responsible for long-range planning, capital development, and management of historic and cultural resources for Park Tacoma’s system.

Chief of Planning & Asset Management

Marty Stump

[email protected], (253) 305-1078
Marty provides oversight of the District’s Capital Projects program and guides the agency’s Planning & Asset Management Team.
read Marty’s bio

Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Tania Wink

[email protected], (253) 305-1081
Tania provides strategic leadership and oversees execution of the organization’s business and finance functions.
Read Tania’s Bio

Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer

Hunter T. George

[email protected], (253) 686-9553
Hunter leads marketing and communications efforts for the District and provides leadership and strategy for intergovernmental partnerships, programs and policies at the federal, state, regional, and local levels.
Read Hunter’s Bio

Chief People Officer

Jenna Richardson

[email protected], (253) 404-3949
Jenna leads human resources and risk & safety teams across the District.

 

Social Media

View our social media privacy and commenting policy See all our social media accounts

 

District Organizational Functions

 

Requests

ADA Accommodation Requests

Parks Tacoma provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities.
  • Requests should be made at least two (2) weeks prior to the date the program begins.
  • Accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • One participant per form. Up to three activities can be on the same form if they require the same accommodation.
  • If you have questions or concerns about already present accommodation structures, please email [email protected] or call 253-305-1030.
Submit an ADA Accommodation Request

Once the request has been submitted, Parks Tacoma staff will review the accommodation request and communicate final decisions to the participant and/or participants’ guardian within 10 business days.

Email: Send accommodation request to [email protected]
Mail: Send the Accommodation Request Form to 4702 S. 19th, Tacoma WA 98405.
Phone: 253-404-3955 (This number is for accommodation information only. For general inquiries and information please call 253-305-1030.)

Learn more about accessibility at Parks Tacoma

 

Request a Presentation

Parks Tacoma staff are available to speak to civic, school, business and other groups about a variety of topics.

If you’d like your organization to hear more in person about:

  • District capital projects
  • Park management
  • Horticulture
  • Recreation programs
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • …or another topic

Please contact Hunter George.

 

Public Records Requests

Parks Tacoma, in accordance with the Washington State Public Records Act RCW 42.56, allows for the inspection or copies of records unless specifically exempted by law. After submitting a request, you may be contacted to clarify your request or to coordinate the delivery of records.

Make a Records Request

 

Community Action Request

Report maintenance problems such as broken playground equipment, non-urgent safety issues, concerns about a Parks Tacoma staff member or recurring unsafe misuse of parks and community centers.

Report a Problem Ask a Question

Emergency communications relative to matters of public health or safety are administered by the District’s Communications Manager on a priority basis. Information of this nature is disseminated through a variety of internal and external communication vehicles including, media releases, the District’s website, social media, email and other means as warranted, such as onsite signage, posters or reader board notification.

 

Claims for Damages

If you believe Parks Tacoma is at fault for an incident or accident resulting in loss, injury, or damages you can file a claim by submitting a completed claim form, along with any supporting documentation and/or pictures, to [email protected] or mail to:

Parks Tacoma – Claims for Damages
4702 S 19th Street
Tacoma WA 98405

Provide specific details about your loss, injury, or damages including a description of the event (incident or accident), including the location, dates, times, and witnesses providing contact information and full names. Submitting a Claim for Damages does not guarantee payment by Parks Tacoma or its risk pool (insurance carriers). A claims adjuster assigned from Parks Tacoma’s risk pool will investigate the incident to determine whether Parks Tacoma has any liability according to applicable laws.

When filing a claim, it is recommended that you provide any documents that support your claim. Since these documents may be required before a claim can be resolved, you may want to include them with your claim form, or you can submit them directly with the adjuster assigned to your claim. However, please take note of the following:

  • Documents will not be returned; keep copies of everything you submit.
  • Information on your claim for damages form, including photographs and documents submitted with your claim form, may be released as a public record in response to a public records request.
  • You should not send sensitive personal or medical records with your claim form. The assigned adjuster will request these records only if needed.
  • Submit repair estimates, photos, receipts, or any other supporting documentation with the Claim for Damages form to support your loss.
  • Submit the claim form as soon as possible after a loss occurs, even if damage costs or totals are uncertain.

To request a printed copy of the claim form to be mailed to you please call 253.305.1022.

Claim for Damages Form

 

Community Engagement

Outreach and engagement with our community is at the core of who we are at Parks Tacoma. From a community workshop to develop a new bridge design to a survey to pick the colors of a new playground, we want to hear from you. This space is your resource to stay up to speed on all current engagement opportunities, including public meetings, surveys, participatory budgeting, ideas walls, and more. Share your voice to help shape the future of your parks and facilities.

Learn more about upcoming activities and engagement opportunities here.

learn more

 

 

Financial Assistance

Parks Tacoma offers a financial assistance program due to generous support from the Tacoma Parks Foundation. If cost is a potential barrier to participation, City of Tacoma residents may request financial assistance for most scheduled fee-based classes, camps or programs with individual charges.

Learn more and apply