Point Defiance Main Picnic Shelter

During business hours
Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm
(253) 404-3980

[email protected]

Closed hours

(includes national holidays)
Park Manager on Duty
(253) 305-1035

For Emergencies call 911

Main Picnic Shelter Accessibility (rating 1)

• Parking: Designated ADA parking at picnic location but slope from parking to site is excessive.
• Route: Route is not level, many slopes to reach shelters; mixed consistency. Restroom is not reachable from the site.
• Tables: Group tables are clustered in a manner that does not provide or guarantee ADA seating at all required stations.
• Amenities: not all amenities are within reach or provide approach (grills, signage, fountains)
• Restrooms: Not on route.
• Rating note: Scale of 1 to 5, 1-low/5-high

Picnic Shelter Rental Advisory
Please be advised, your facility rental is for the shelter only.

The rental client and Parks Tacoma cannot reserve parking spaces or restrict other people’s activities in the park nearby unless the activities are illegal. Our parks are open for public use and your experience may include:

• Various forms of wildlife.
• Loud music or park patrons.
• Dogs running off-leash and/or dogs excessively barking.
• People enjoying the park in close proximity to your rental space.

Picnic Shelter Rental Terms

• Rental customers agree to the terms and conditions of Parks Tacoma’s rental guidelines.
• Vehicles must stay on the roads and park in designated parking spaces. No driving allowed on the grass or other park areas. Parking is limited within Tacoma parks. We encourage guests to carpool or use public transportation.
• Do not place small hibachis, table-top barbecues or any other hot items on top of picnic tables. Many of Parks Tacoma’ picnic tables are constructed from recycled plastic and can melt if hot items are placed on top.
• Overall facility appearance and condition at Parks Tacoma facilities may change between venue viewing and the day of the scheduled event.

Additional Activities

• Bounce houses are not permitted unless (1) additional fee is paid; (2) they are provided by a professional bounce house/entertainment equipment company; and (3) a certificate of insurance is provided by the professional company listing Parks Tacoma as additional insured.
• Food Trucks are not permitted unless (1) additional fee is paid;  and (2) a certificate of insurance is provided by the company listing Parks Tacoma as additional insured. Food trucks may not sell food to the general public during your rental.
• Amplified sound requires an additional fee.

Cancelation Policy

• 30 days or more before reservation date – 100% refund
• 29-14 days before reservation date – 50% refund
• Less than 14 days before reservation date – no refund
• No refunds are given due to weather conditions