Five of Tacoma’s oldest playgrounds are getting a much-needed makeover
We all need a self-care day sometimes. And for aging playgrounds across Tacoma, it’s just as important.
That said, it takes a little longer than a day.
Parks Tacoma announced that five of its parks’ playgrounds are receiving new equipment, as well as other improvements that enhance their accessibility.
Parks Tacoma operates 53 playgrounds, and these five were among the oldest, the press release said.
All the parks are in various states of construction, with some already open and others still in the design phase.
These restoration efforts are funded by a bond approved in 2014 by voters and designed in part by community members through surveys.
Oakland Madrona Park
This South Tacoma park was originally established in 1937 and features a playground, basketball court, swings, a trail and small wooded area.
The previous playground was built in the ‘90s, and was demolished to be replaced by nature-inspired wooden play structures, the press release said.
This new play area opened in January and features new swings, a wooden climbing dome with nets and a small hideaway structure with slides. The playground is aimed for children aged 5 to 12 with additional elements for younger kids aged 2 to 5.
The play area is not the only part of the park that’s getting a revamp.
The park also received new curbing, accessible ramps and a concrete plaza with new benches, the release read.
A community celebration for the updated park is planned in March.
Cloverdale Park
This Eastside park’s playground will be replaced by a larger play space featuring a new swing area, boulder climbers and climbing structures with a wide slide, the release said.
Crews will also extend the accessible sidewalk, remove a power pole from the middle of the field to improve safety and plant some more trees.
This revamp is thanks in part to over 230 kids and community members who participated in a survey for the new playground’s design.
The park will reopen in Fall 2026.
North Slope Historic Park
This “pocket park” at the corner of North Eighth Street and North K Street was built in 2002 and spans just 0.23 acres.
Input from over 325 people showed an urge to maximize the small play area and preserve the nature and art pieces that give the park its unique character.
The new playground will feature round, covered swings that kids can crawl inside. The park will also feature a climbing structure with two slides.
This park is set to reopen in Summer 2026.
Alderwood Park
The construction and design documents for this park in Northeast Tacoma are still underway, the release read.
Over 600 people offered input for the new playground, with most wanting a nature-themed play space with slides, climbers and swings.
Third-graders from Crescent Heights Elementary School wrote about the park in a persuasive writing exercise about what they’d like to see at the new park.
One student mentioned they feel sorry for their disabled peers because they are picked on and often unable to use playground equipment.
Increasing the playground’s accessibility “would help them a lot because they would get to know people,” a student said. “They would learn that they are part of a community.”
The park is set to reopen sometime in 2026.
Lincoln Heights Park
The effort to replace playground equipment at this South Tacoma park has only just begun.
Parks staff plan to have design concepts for the park ready later this year.
Besides updating the playground, the project will upgrade the adjacent park plaza and improve accessibility across the area, including the basketball court, bus stop and entrance on South Steele Street.
