Local

Park projects that are reshaping public spaces in Pierce County

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

Park projects in Pierce County are reshaping public spaces to prioritize usability, safety, and conservation. That includes initiatives like the restoration of the txʷaalqəł Conservation Area and trail expansions, such as the extension of the 22-mile Foothills Trail. Other projects across the county include new pickleball courts, upgraded playgrounds, and off-leash dog parks.

Plans for reimagining local parks include proposed mountain bike trails at McCormick Forest Park and a proposed Swan Creek Park bridge.

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.

This is a possible style for the new pedestrian bridge proposed at Swan Creek Park. By Courtesy

NO. 1: WHAT SHOULD TACOMA’S NEWEST BRIDGE LOOK LIKE? AND WHERE SHOULD IT BE BUILT?

Parks Tacoma wants to know if you think the bridge should join the city’s icons. | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

McCormick Forest Park in Gig Harbor has more than 4 miles of trails on 122 acres.

NO. 2: WILL THIS PIERCE COUNTY FOREST TURN INTO A MOUNTAIN BIKING COURSE? HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

There’s a plan to bring new trails to the popular Pierce County park this year. The park district wants input from residents. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

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. 3: 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

Harry Todd Park is the proposed site of a pickleball court, on Monday, June 17, 2024, in Lakewood, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS COMING TO LAKEFRONT PARK IN PIERCE COUNTY. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

Construction on four courts is expected to begin next year. | Published June 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Heavily wooded and deeply shaded, the land around Gig Harbor’s North Creek is perfect salmon habitat.

NO. 5: NEW PUBLIC TRAILS ARE COMING TO 50 ACRES OF PRESERVED SALMON HABITAT IN PIERCE COUNTY

Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy a trail system with a connection to historic downtown Gig Harbor. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Carly Vester

The Carbon Glacier Corridor, which encompasses Wilkeson and Carbonado, offers a gateway to the northwest area of Mount Rainier National Park. By Courtesy of Pierce County Parks

NO. 6: ‘CRUCIAL’ UNDEVELOPED PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL WILL BECOME 3.5 MILES FOR BIKERS, PEDESTRIANS

Without the trail, the only route connecting the towns is the highway. The goal is for the trail to reach Mount Rainier National Park. | Published July 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angelica Relente

The White River Restoration Project is in phase one, which consist moving earth, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Sumner, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 7: WHAT’S UP WITH ALL THE CONSTRUCTION HULLABALOO NEAR EAST VALLEY HIGHWAY IN SUMNER?

It’s part of a multi-million-dollar city project. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angelica Relente

The proposed site where a 256,800 sq ft office/warehouse building would be built on about 19.65 acres of vacant land on the west side of Sequalichew Drive, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 in DuPont, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 8: PROPOSED WAREHOUSE NEAR POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL WOULD REMOVE MORE THAN 450 TREES

“Nobody wants a warehouse in their backyard, but everybody also wants to be able to order stuff on Amazon and have it there the next day,” the development manager said. | Published October 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

The newly opened Foothills Trail bridge connects King and Pierce County over the White River, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Buckley, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 9: NEW $16 MILLION BRIDGE EXTENDS POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL TO 22 MILES, INTO KING COUNTY

The span is also an emergency route. Vehicles and pedestrians can use it if a disaster damages the state Route 410 bridge, a news release said. | Published October 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexis Krell

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. 10: 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

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.