Local

5 major recent investments in Pierce County parks and trails

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

Parks Tacoma is funneling millions into upgrades, including a $7.2 million boost for Point Defiance Zoo’s North Pacific Aquarium.

On the trails front, the new $16 million White River bridge now extends the Foothills Trail, and the rebuilt Spiketon Ditch Bridge is expected to open soon. Community parks are getting attention too, with projects such as a new accessible playground at Allan Yorke Park and improvements at American Lake Park, including an accessible merry-go-round and repairs to the public boat launch.

Allan Yorke Park in Bonney Lake will get a new playground. It will have ADA-accessible features such as swings and a seesaw. By Great Western Recreation

NO. 1: BUSY PIERCE COUNTY PARK IS GETTING A NEW PLAYGROUND WITH SWINGS FOR KIDS AND CAREGIVERS

“It provides more play opportunities,” the city administrator assistant said. | Published April 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angelica Relente

A family searches for the perfect spot on the beach at American Lake Park in Lakewood Saturday, July 2, 2021. By Drew Perine

NO. 2: $2.8 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS APPROVED FOR THIS POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY LAKESIDE PARK

Good news: The park won’t close this summer, despite pending construction. | Published July 6, 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. 3: 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

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

NO. 4: 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

People unload their boats and other watercraft at the American Lake boat launch in Lakewood, Wash., on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. By Joshua Bessex

NO. 5: POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY BOAT LAUNCH TO BE FIXED AFTER DAMAGE FORCED ITS CLOSURE

Residents complained to the city that vehicles and trailers had been damaged from using the site before. | Published December 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

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