Popular Pierce County park to be closed in 2025 for major upgrades, like new dog park
Popular 22-acre Wards Lake Park in Lakewood will be closed Tuesday through November 2025 for major construction upgrades, including new paved trails, a new playground and a new off-leash dog park, according to the city.
Earlier this month the Lakewood City Council approved a $3.2 million contract authorizing Redside Construction to complete planned improvements to the park at 2716 84th St. Ct. S.
Phase 1 of the project includes a new pump track, dog park, trail improvements and a bridge spanning Wards Lake, according to the city. Phase 2 includes a new neighborhood park with a playground, expanded parking, existing playground upgrades and a restroom replacement. A third phase of the project would involve developing 10.5 acres of acquired land to expand trails and allow the city more ease in maintaining the site, according to the city’s capital park projects website.
City spokesperson Brynn Grimley told The News Tribune Monday the 10.5 acres of land was acquired by the city, but the city has no immediate plans to implement or fund Phase 3.
Improvements are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Phase one of the project budget was $2.4 million and phase two was $2.5 million, to be offset in part by grants, according to the city.
Upgrades include:
ADA-accessible loop trail with a 170-foot-long bridge over Wards Lake
10-foot-wide paved trails and gravel paths throughout the site
new off-leash dog park
new playground and picnic shelter
pump bike track (a hilly course for biking and skateboarding)
3-acre bike track and skills area
new restroom facility
prairie restoration and a bird blind overlooking the lake
public art and landscape improvements
expansion of the parking lot
new neighborhood park and playground at 25th Avenue Court South.
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM.
