Pierce County park projects that redefine natural spaces

In Lakewood, the proposed overhaul of Edgewater Park highlights the complexities of balancing expanded access with concerns of private property infringement, mirrored by the city's push to include facilities like a new pier and boat launch. Meanwhile, Metro Parks Tacoma's investment of $25 million in various park projects, includes upgrades at Point Defiance Zoo and new sports facilities.

A participative budgeting initiative in downtown Tacoma inspired the creation of a skate park under I-705, demonstrating how public involvement can shape youth-targeted recreational spaces.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Ebrahim Mirjalil poses for a portrait in his home, where he and his family soon may be forced to move, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Lakewood, Wash. Ebrahim and his family have lived in their home on Steilacoom Lake since 2008, now with Lakewood claiming eminent domain on his property him and his family might have to move By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: IT WAS HIS DREAM HOME. LAKEWOOD PLANS TO DEMOLISH IT TO UPGRADE A WATERFRONT PARK

The city of Lakewood is planning to seize the property under eminent domain, saying part of it actually sits on public property. | Published April 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

No parking signs lines sections of the road that leads into North Lake Tapps Park, on Monday, July 15, 2024, in Bonney Lake, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 2: CROWD-CONTROL RESTRICTIONS IMPLEMENTED AT POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY PARK. WILL THEY CONTINUE?

Parking was exhausted by 10 a.m. each day this past weekend, a parks official told The News Tribune. | Published July 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Zoey Zemanek (left) of Tacoma brought her 21-month-old son, Kieran O’Donnell, to University Place’s Homstead Park on Wednesday, Oct. 2, for a play date with 17-month-old Dean Kirkwood, accompanied by mom Teonna Kirkwood of University Place. By Craig Sailor

NO. 3: THIS LOCAL PARK FAMOUS FOR ITS RHODODENDRONS WILL SOON BE GETTING A MAKEOVER

Some rhodies and trees will be removed to make the park more open. | Published October 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

Josh Westbrooks skates the quarter pipe at Heidelberg-Davis Skatepark, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: SKATERS, GRAB YOUR BOARDS: CITY GIVING $1M TO BUILD NEW SKATE PARK IN DOWNTOWN TACOMA

The covered park would also feature public art. | Published October 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

People watch as jet skiers speed past Owen Beach on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. By Pete Caster

NO. 5: WHERE TACOMA’S METRO PARKS PLANS TO INVEST $25M IN PARKS, HERITAGE SITES IN 2025-2026

Waterfront parks, Point Defiance Zoo Aquariums, neighborhood parks and community centers set to see investments. | Published November 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Wards Lake Park will be closed starting Jan. 7 the park in Lakewood will be closed until November 2025 for significant park By Brian Hayes

NO. 6: POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY PARK TO BE CLOSED IN 2025 FOR MAJOR UPGRADES, LIKE NEW DOG PARK

The park will be getting new paved trails, an off-leash dog park and new playground this year. | Published January 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.