More detours inside Point Defiance Park for next two weeks. What to know
For about two weeks, some new road closures within Point Defiance Park in Tacoma means drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists will have to use detours to access certain parts of the park.
As previously reported by The News Tribune, part of Five Mile Drive has been closed since May 2025 as Parks Tacoma builds a new paved trail. Starting Monday, additional portions of the park will be closed as part of that project, public information officer Stacia Glenn confirmed Tuesday.
For drivers looking to reach the gardens, Pagoda and Marina — use the Pearl Street Entrance. For access to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Owen Beach, Fort Nisqually, the Rhododendron Garden and the Outer Loop trail, drivers should use the Mildred Street entrance.
“The path behind the Pagoda and the pedestrian bridge between the Japanese Garden and the main picnic (near the playground) will [also] be closed to allow construction of the Loop Trail Phase 2 for approximately two weeks,” according to Parks Tacoma.
Pedestrian detours include:
- An option to park at the waterfront near Anthony’s restaurant or the Marina. Follow the detour up the stairs at the end of the promenade to the main picnic area and take the trail to Five Mile Drive.
- Another option is to park on the west side of the Rose Garden and make your way along the zoo perimeter towards the main picnic area, then catch the trail to Five Mile Drive.
Point Defiance Park, which covers 760 acres, is one of the busiest parks in Tacoma with more than 3 million visitors every year, staff previously told The News Tribune. The Loop Trail Phase 2 project will add 1.6 miles of trail to connect visitors from Dune Peninsula all the way to Owen Beach.
Phase 2 of the project is still expected to cost about $9.5 million, which will be paid in part by a 2014 voter-approved bond, Glenn said. The expected opening is still late spring 2026, she said Tuesday.
