Neighbors criticized plans for a Tacoma park. Here’s what is in a revamped proposal
A master plan to revitalize and redesign a 9-acre park in Central Tacoma into an all-season sports field and neighborhood park will go before the Park Board later this month. Peck Athletic Complex will serve as the home base for Stadium High School’s baseball team in the future.
The move comes after a contentious re-planning effort earlier this year by Tacoma Public Schools and Metro Parks Tacoma to find a space that would provide much-needed baseball and softball facilities for Stadium High School, while also balancing the desires of Central Tacoma and Hilltop residents who wanted grassy fields at Stanley Playfield to stay that way. Stanley Playfield will get a new playground, but the remaining field would remain unchanged for now.
There are plans to establish an all-seasons, multi-sports field for baseball, soccer and lacrosse as well as a plethora of additional improvements to the Metro Parks facility at 1425 State St. The sports complex currently has four softball-sized fields and is a seven-minute drive from Stadium High School.
Among the other park improvements proposed include increased green space, playground equipment, gardens, orchards and community buildings.
A preliminary cost of these improvements is still being determined, and construction may happen in phases as funding becomes available, Kristi Evans told the News Tribune Monday. Evans is the Capital Program Manager of Community and Neighborhood Parks.
One baseball field will be funded by the school district and the remaining park improvements may be funded by bonds or grants, she said. All funding is not currently secured, according to Evans.
A final master plan and cost estimate will be in front of the Park Board on Nov. 27. A Metro Parks survey about the master plan at Peck Athletic Complex is open online until Nov. 19.
What will the complex look like?
Under the new concept, there would no longer be perimeter fencing around the entire Peck Athletic Complex and both sports fields would be programmed for community use when organized games and practices are not scheduled, according to a recent Metro Parks news release.
The southeast corner of the park will support soccer, lacrosse and baseball. A second field to the west can be used for soccer, kickball, softball or baseball, according to Metro Parks.
In addition to the fields, the plan calls for multiple basketball courts and a sports court, as well as a wavy track to provide youth an opportunity to develop cycling skills, the release said.
The design includes an open lawn, a walking trail, playground, garden and new building where the community can check out equipment, use the restroom and buy concessions. The plan also includes neighborhood requests for improved safety and access to the park, including an elevating street crossing for South State and South 14th streets, according to Metro Parks.
West of South State Street would be a section of de-paved asphalt to support rain gardens already created by neighbors, along with a native plant garden, orchard, garden building and community garden bordering a new multi-function parking area, according to the news release. There are also plans to support the park’s existing mature fir trees and plant additional trees.
This story was originally published November 13, 2023 at 12:25 PM.
