Zoo, NW Trek, community centers, programs and rentals to end Friday as Metro Parks closes
Friday will be the last day in March to see Suki the elephant at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, marvel at the lemon tree inside Seymour Conservatory or take the slide downstairs at the Eastside Community Center.
Metro Parks Tacoma announced Thursday night that it’s closing most of its public facilities in an effort to help stop the spread of the coronavirus taking hold in Puget Sound.
It’s also canceling all indoor and outdoor programs. That includes volunteer work parties.
Green spaces will not be affected.
Metro Parks is taking the action following Governor Jay Inslee’s ban this week on large gatherings as well as guidance from various health authorities on social distancing.
Metro Parks will shut down the following facilities at the end of their regular hours Friday:
▪ Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.
▪ Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
▪ All community centers (Eastside, STAR, People’s, Norpoint).
▪ Fort Nisqually Living History Museum.
All rentals of Metro Parks facilities have been canceled. Those include spaces rented for weddings.
“We will work with renters to reschedule or give full refunds,” Metro Parks said in a statement.
The closures and cancellations are now set to last through March 31. Given the unknown and fluid situation of the coronavirus pandemic, an extension of the closure is possible, Metro Parks said.
Open spaces in the Metro Parks system will stay open. Walking, biking, hiking and similar outdoor activities in Point Defiance Park, Wright Park and all other parks in the system remain available to the public, Metro Parks said.
Metro Parks spokesman Hunter George said the agency is working on staffing plans for employees at the closed facilities but doesn’t plan any layoffs. Staff is still needed to feed and care for animals, for instance. Some employees can be reassigned or work from home.
Tyra Shenaurlt, the horticulture resource supervisor at the Conservatory in Wright Park, said she doesn’t have to lay anyone off.
“Our plants still need to be taken care of,” Shenaurlt said. Other staff are being reassigned to Metro Parks’ greenhouses. Some staff can work from home, she said.
PenMet parks closures
The Peninsula Metropolitan Park District, which serves Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula, announced Friday it was canceling all programs, classes and other activities, including sports leagues.
However, all of the district’s parks will remain open, said spokesman Chuck Cuzzetto. Participants in classes, programs and leagues will be contacted by their directors and coaches about credits or refunds.
The district is also canceling rentals of park facilities, such as halls and picnic shelters, and renters will be contacted about refunds.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 11:40 AM.
