Saturday mornings were made for being outdoors, especially in the spring.

On April 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., you can show your love for local green spaces by participating in the 25^th annual  Parks Appreciation Day. Two projects have been chosen for this event. 

At Wapato Hills Park, volunteers will gather to help care for the park through hands-on stewardship activities such as tending existing plantings, removing invasive weeds, laying down fresh gravel on walking trails and spreading mulch to support healthy soil and plant growth.  

“The goal is to help native habitat thrive, prep grounds for future planting and give the space a refresh for the community to continue enjoying,” said Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Johnson. 

For the second project, volunteers will meet at the Point Defiance Marina to remove litter from areas near the Marina, promenade and Owen Beach, as well as the immediate park grounds. 

Parks Appreciation Day is sponsored by Parks Tacoma’s Environmental Sustainability Partner, TAPCO Credit Union. As a community organization rooted in the South Sound, TAPCO is committed to preserving the natural places that we all cherish. 

A word from TAPCO, our Environmental Sustainability Partner 

“Parks and natural spaces bring people together and help our communities thrive,” said CEO Justin Martin. “Through our partnership with Parks Tacoma, TAPCO is proud to support efforts that care for these shared spaces and encourage community involvement. Opportunities like Parks Appreciation Day reflect our commitment to strengthening the communities we serve and advance our focus on People, Planet and Prosperity.” 

As an Environmental Sustainability Partner TAPCO also sponsors Park Guides programming, which includes upcoming events like the Coffee with the Birds program, as well as Parks Tacoma’s Park Volunteers work parties and Community Litter Cleanups. It’s a significant step in their ongoing commitment to making a positive impact on the environment and in the communities we both serve.