Catherine Ushka's Gas Station Park
4801 S Park
Tacoma, WA 98408
(253) 305-1054
[email protected]
Project Manager: Kristi Evans
This site began as a gas station, became an abandoned toxic lot, and then was cleaned up. Full renovations for this pocket park are now underway.
Latest Updates
- August 13, 2023: Grand Reopening Celebration
- June 2023: Construction is nearing completion, and the park is expected to reopen to the public in August 2023.
- October 2022: Construction begins, breaking ground for approved improvement plan.
Project Description
Improvements are underway at Gas Station Park, a bond-funded project that will transform the South Tacoma pocket park with a toxic history into a tree-filled community play space. Renovations to this existing neighborhood pocket park will include:- 14 trees planted around the perimeter & landscaping
- Sturdy children’s play structure, replacing aging play equipment
- Swings & explorer climbing dome
- Tricycle track
- Open lawn
- Fencing
- Improved access & signage, including ADA accessible parking space
- Two picnic tables
- Other improvements identified through public engagement process
News
Tacoma City Council member Catherine Ushka’s name added to Gas Station Park
Fill up on fun at the newly opened Gas Station Park
Gas Station Park begins transformation to tree-lined play space
Before & After
Before: The park lacked a central irrigation system and hosted aging play equipment.
After: Nearing completion at the time of this photo in June 2023, the park is now equipped with new landscaping, a trike track, new play equipment, and more.
About Catherine Ushka’s Gas Station Park
In November 2021 Gas Station Park’s ownership and operations were transferred to Parks Tacoma.
The park currently features a paved half-court for basketball, a big toy with slide, benches, small trees and picnic tables.
There are parking spaces along Park Ave and houses on adjacent property. Small trees, grass and established landscape elements have been maintained by neighbors and the city since this park was purchased by funds provided to the City of Tacoma through the South End Neighborhood Council.
Proposed Timeline
- Oct 25, 2021 – City Council presentation
- Nov 2, 2021 – City Council presentation
- Nov 2021 – Park Board presentation
- Nov. 2021-Jan 2022 – Design development
- Spring 2022 – Permitting
- Summer 2022 – Project bidding
- Spring/Summer 2023 – Projected completion
Final Plan
More Information
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Outreach Strategy
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Gas Station Park Outreach Strategy
- June 30, 2019 – Stakeholder/steering committee meeting
- August 26, 2019 – Popup on-site to observe activities and begin conversations
- September 3, 2019 – City engagement: theme: council members
- September 16, 2019 – Neighborhood council and business district
- Ongoing – Engage urban planning at UWT to learn from heat mapping
- February 6, 2020 – Public Meeting
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History
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1924-mid 1980s – Was a working gas station
2001 – Site was tested for toxic materials
2004 – The site was acquired involuntarily by Pierce County through tax forfeiture and sold to the City for $13,320. The City spent $100,000 from an Environmental Protection Agency grant and $35,000 from Exxon Mobil to clean it up, and the South End Neighborhood Council—who had long advocated for its use as a park—agreed to develop and maintain it.
2005 – Restrictive Covenant from DOE with 3 periodic reviews took place. City of Tacoma took over park maintenance from South End Neighborhood Council.
2019 – Discussion about transferring the park from City of Tacoma to Parks Tacoma.
2021 – City transfers both ownership and operations of the tiny South Tacoma neighborhood park to Parks Tacoma.
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Funding
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The City is granting Parks Tacoma $320,000 to help with the renovation. Other funds come from:
- $150,000 in 2014 voter-approved Parks Tacoma bonds
- $504,700 from a Washington State Commerce Grant
- $2,224 in open space fees.
One percent of that budget ($6,786) will be put into a public art fund per Parks Tacoma’ public art policy