Local

New Pierce County park, playground and trail projects in 2025

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of stories illustrates upcoming changes to Pierce County's parks and trails. Wards Lake Park in Lakewood will close for upgrades, including new trails, a dog park, and a playground. McCormick Forest Park is considering mountain biking trails while balancing environmental concerns.

In East Pierce County, a major bridge replacement on the Foothills Trail will finally connect all 24 miles, improving accessibility for cyclists and walkers. At Van Lierop Park in Puyallup, a new barn-themed playground is under construction, offering climbing features and swings for children. Point Defiance Park in Tacoma will undergo construction for a sidewalk addition and trail improvements along Five Mile Drive to ensure safer paths for visitors.

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.

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. 1: 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

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

Parks Tacoma capital improvement program manager Terry Jungman and Marty Stump, director of business, administration and planning outline the upcoming 1.6-mile paved pathway project in Point Defiance Park During a March 27, 2025 tour.The second phase for the Loop Trail will connect from Wilson Way Bridge to numerous main public areas in the park while improving pedestrian safety. By Steve Bloom

NO. 3: BUSY SECTION OF POINT DEFIANCE PARK ROAD TO CLOSE FOR A YEAR STARTING IN MAY. HERE’S WHY

Next month those wanting to visit Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Owen Beach, Fort Nisqually and the Outer Loop of Five Mile Drive will have to use another entrance. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Spiketon Ditch Bridge is unsafe for public access, and it will be closed for a minimum of one to two years. The bridge is on the Foothills Trail between South Prairie and Buckley. By Alexis Krell

NO. 4: ALL 24 MILES OF THIS POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL WILL SOON BE OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME

A new $1.4 million bridge means bikers and pedestrians will be able to use the full trail this summer. The bridge has been out since 2023. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Constanza Montemayor

These renderings show plans for a new barn-themed playground that is under construction at Van Lierop Park in Puyallup. It is set to include climbing boulders, musical features, swings and slides.

NO. 5: $900K PUYALLUP PLAYGROUND WITH A BARN THEME AND CLIMBING BOULDERS OPENS SOON

The playground will have an area for kids between the ages of 3 and 5, and another for children ages 5 and older. | Published April 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Constanza Montemayor

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.