New road to popular Tacoma beach would separate vehicle traffic from bikes, pedestrians
For nearly a year, Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park has been closed to the public as construction crews take on a major renovation project.
When it reopens, visitors might have a new way to get there.
In December, Metro Parks Tacoma filed State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) permits with the city of Tacoma to build a new road to the beach specifically for vehicles.
The road is an effort to improve traffic flow throughout Point Defiance and also increase safety by separating bicycles and pedestrians from vehicles.
The new road would provide clearer sight lines at intersections and offer safer access for buses transporting students at the park’s Science and Math Institute.
Instead of separate entrance and exit roads to Owen Beach, the new two-way road would allow for both entering and exiting vehicles. Inbound and outbound traffic would be separated by a planting strip, ending in a new parking lot and drop-off zone.
The road would be located west of the existing entry on Five Mile Drive near the exit.
The former downhill entry road to Owen Beach would be repurposed as a pedestrian and bicycle path, providing vehicle-free access to the beach and numerous trailheads, according to Metro Parks.
As part of the entry-road construction, 26 trees ranging from 6-25 inches in diameter would need to be removed.
“To mitigate their removal from the ecosystem, 45 more maple, hemlock, fir and serviceberry trees, plus smaller plantings, will be planted onsite after construction is complete,” Metro Parks said in a statement. “Metro Parks is also working with SAMI classes in an effort to salvage native plants such as mature ferns from the construction area to replant elsewhere in the park.”
Once permits are approved, construction would begin in early 2022 and line up with the reopening of Owen Beach, which is still on track to reopen in summer 2022.
Construction started for the renovation project at Owen Beach in February 2021. The $4 million project replaces aging facilities, including a new restroom building, picnic pavilion, a kayak launch and children’s play area.
In 2015, Metro Parks Tacoma adopted a 20-year master plan to enhance visitor experience.
“Primary community feedback on desired park enhancements focused on the need to improve pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle safety and traffic circulation throughout the park,” Metro Parks said in a statement.
This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
