Category Overview
Local Parks grants help protect these symbols of vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in an era when people spend increasing amounts of their time inside. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping communities fund the acquisition, development, and renovation of vital recreation areas and green spaces.
Project Highlights
Metro Parks Tacoma will use this grant to develop a fitness and gathering space at First Creek Community Park in the City of Tacoma’s Eastside neighborhood in Pierce County. The project will serve as trailheads to the adjacent Pipeline Trail, the regional 5.5-mile multimodal trail to downtown Tacoma that will extend to Puyallup; and adjacent to the Swan Creek Park’s hiking and mountain biking trails. Metro Parks Tacoma will continue partnering with Trust for Public Land to install fitness equipment for all ages and abilities, nature play elements for children, and seating and picnic tables for community gatherings. The project will also remove invasive weeds that encroach the Pipeline Trail, install wayfinding signage and cycling support amenities, and add a pedestrian entry to Swan Creek Park. Despite their proximity, the community rarely uses these public spaces due to safety concerns. The project goal is to create an open, inviting, multi-generational community space to expand access to existing community public spaces and promote greater physical activity. The primary recreational opportunities are exercising, playing, picnicking, biking, and community gathering.