Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park

Project Details

Located near the base of the 11th Street Bridge, the park site currently under construction for Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park was once home to a steam plant prior to the reclamation of the Foss Waterway as part of Superfund remediation that began in the 1980s. The playful design of the park provides learning opportunities on Tacoma’s industrial past and the decades-long effort to reclaim and restore our shoreline for future generations.

Previously referred to as “Central Park,” Tacoma City Council formally renamed this exciting new neighborhood park on May 9, 2018 to recognize the community contributions of the beloved Tacoma banking leader who passed away in 2017.

Funding

The Foss Waterway Development Authority spearheaded fundraising to achieve the vision, including: over $1.2 million in private donations, $750,000 from the City of Tacoma, $490,000 from the State, and $50,000 from Pierce County. Through generous philanthropy and partnerships, combined with $2.2 million in voter-approved bonds provided by Parks Tacoma, the Foss Waterway will boast a one-of-a-kind shoreline destination.

Features

Melanie’s Park will include:

• Large Northwest-themed play area
• Slide
• Pedestrian bridge connecting to a play tower
• Concrete walkway under the bridge extending from Dock Street to a viewing platform to the shoreline
• Evergreen and deciduous trees and plants
• Seating for picnicking and enjoying the park
• ADA-compliant accessibility
• Restrooms
• Street Parking

Historic use of the area, including the past and continued relationship of the Puyallup people to the waterfront, will be reflected through interpretive elements that include signage and a pathway featuring Native basket-inspired designs.

Accessibility

Melanie’s Park was designed and built to ADA accessibility standards, which will include pathways around the park and to nearly all the playground equipment. Restrooms with changing tables, benches and picnic tables are also accessibly sized.

There are accessible routes throughout the entire park and each feature, like the log jam play structure (engineered wood chips), play mound and hillslide (synthetic turf) and bridge to tower rope climber (synthetic turf). Some play features are designed for a climbing user-experience and will not be ADA accessible, including the spiral tube slide, rope climber and sling seats.

Parking

This park is situated within walking distance of many public parking lots. There is an ADA-accessible onstreet parking space in front of the park, designated for use by those with a properly displayed permit.

Check out this map for details on parking, accessible routes, and accessible features:

Donor Wall & Signage

A donor wall/signage is planned as part of the design of Melanie’s Park. The schematic has not been developed yet. The Greater Parks Tacoma Foundation will be involved in the design and development process.

Project Timeline

• Final schematic designs were presented in an open house on Feb. 17, 2016.
  • Once costs were estimated and the project was approved by the Foss Waterway Development Authority and Parks Tacoma, funding was identified.
• The final design and permitting phase with shoreline permits was completed in July 2021.
  • The City of Tacoma performed final preparations for the construction of the Jefferson & Hood Street Surfacewater Interceptor project which needed to be completed prior to the park development.
• Construction began in late 2022.
• Open to the public: April 12, 2024

Design Elements & Environmental Factors

Based in part on public response to the initial schematics, the goals of this park are to:

• Create a destination and attraction unique to the waterway
  

  Before: The future site of Melanie’s Park, which is expected to open early 2024.

• Offer opportunities for play for all ages
• Include spaces for events and gatherings
• Change the landscape with plants

This design was created in anticipation of dense urban development immediately north and south of the planned park.

• On the water side, the park would continue the 20-foot-wide Foss Waterway Esplanade that parallels the waterway. A separate 20-foot-wide promenade would connect Dock Street to the Esplanade. At the east end, an overlook would extend toward the waterway.
• At the center of the park, a play mound circled by informal pathways and climbing surfaces would also include play-oriented elements with an industrial theme. Landscaping would feature both conifers and deciduous plants.
• At the top of the mound, a pedestrian bridge would connect to a tower reminiscent of smokestacks. The tower may offer a view and/or opportunities for play. A small lawn would be left open for possible events.
• Near the street, a comfort station with restrooms also could include controlled-access showers and/or a community room and storage.
• Direct access to the water would not be permitted because a soil cap is required to protect against contaminated soil.

A sneak peak of the tower and pedestrian bridge in construction, October 2023.

In 1983, the Environmental Protection Agency identified the Thea Foss Waterway as part of a 12-acre Commencement Bay Superfund site, following more than a century of industrial use. In 2006, the City of Tacoma removed and capped in place sediments contaminated by years of environmentally insensitive practices. This work was part of ongoing marine habitat restoration around the Foss and other areas of Commencement Bay in partnership with public agencies, organizations, individuals, and property owners.

Parks Tacoma is a proud to partner in the continued vision for restoration of the Foss Waterway by providing parks & recreation experiences along this scenic shoreline.

Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel (1952-2017) was a Tacoma banker and community leader. She rose through the Bank of California and

Puget Sound Bank, eventually helping found Columbia Bank, where she worked until her sudden passing. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Dressel also served on many community boards, garnering awards for her business and community leadership.

Those who worked with Melanie describe her as an extraordinary leader and visionary, who left a caring imprint on our community that will carry on for years to come. It is fitting for this park to be named in her honor as she recognized the need for local families to recreate in the Foss Waterway community and put the wheels in motion to make it a reality.

Thank you, Melanie.