Point Defiance living up to its potential
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The words ‘unique’ and ‘extraordinary’ hardly begin to describe the beauty of the southern sound region. Characterized by the distinctive Point Defiance Park, this area in Tacoma has become a must-go destination in the region. But today, a lack of public access to the waterfront and to the park from downtown Tacoma has deprived people of the enrichment this location has to offer. “Tacoma residents have had the dream to connect downtown to the Point Defiance Park Trail for over sixty years,” said Curtis Hancock, Project Manager for the Tacoma Metro Parks District. The Coalition is advocating for state funding through the Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) and for federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) so this dream can become a reality. The Point Defiance Missing Link and Peninsula at Point Defiance projects are the last major steps to provide necessary public access into the park and waterside. On the Peninsula, Tacoma Parks will develop 11 acres of currently unavailable space into a waterfront park that will be connected to the rest of Point Defiance Park by the Missing Link parcel. |
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With your support, more Tacoma residents can enjoy the view of Mt. Rainier from Point Defiance. Photo by Metro Parks Tacoma |
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“We have been planning to turn The Peninsula into a park for more than twenty years,” says Hancock. Once the projects are complete, the public will be given a magnificent view of Mt. Rainier, the Cascades, the Olympics, Vashon Island, and access to fishing and trails. That’s not all. With funding from the WWRP this year the Point Defiance Marine Estuary & Boardwalk project will allow for the restoration of marine habitat, “a terrific environmental opportunity” claims Hancock. The project will create native habitat for endangered species like salmon and sand lace by removing an existing bulkhead and road. |
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All of these areas will become great education opportunities for the public. The Marine Estuary will be designated as a hands-on learning laboratory for the Tacoma School District’s Science and Math Institute, and will “greatly enhance the experience of Point Defiance Park,” says Hancock. But, Hancock says, funding from the WWRP and the LWCF is the only way to accomplish this: “It can’t happen without it.” “Let’s do whatever we can to get the funding!” was his closing remark. And we are.
With your help we can turn Tacoma's dreams into a reality! |
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| With state and federal grants, runs along the beach at Point Defiance will be more accessible for all Tacoma residents. Photo by Metro Parks Tacoma. | |||||
