New Puyallup trail and 20-acre park are in the works. Here’s where plans stand
A Seattle-based landscape architect has been authorized to create a master plan that will connect a Puyallup city-owned property to an existing park through a new connector trail.
The city will consider whether the property will turn into a standalone park, or an extension of Wildwood Park. This will be considered as they go through the master plan, city spokesperson Eric Johnson said via email. The cost of the master plan’s creation is $160,000.
The Puyallup City Council voted unanimously May 12 to authorize Berger Partnership to create the blueprint for Wildwood Park to be connected to the property. The property, known as the LaBelle Property, sits at 1217 13th St. SE and is about 20 acres, down the hill from Wildwood.
The city of Puyallup acquired the property near the intersection of 12th Avenue Southeast and 13th Street Southeast in early 2023 for $800,000. That money came from the Pierce County Conservation Futures grant cycle, which is used to fund projects that preserve open spaces, wetlands and other natural habitats, according to a 2023 news release from the city.
The release said the existing property, which has been vacant, was at one point a blueberry farm in “Puyallup’s agricultural heyday.”
The city does not have a date yet on when they expect to get the park built. They are instead focused on creating a master plan for the LaBelle property, which will “help establish timelines, priorities and cost estimates for future developments,” Johnson said.
This summer, the city anticipates the first half of the trail connection from Wildwood Park will be constructed, according to city emergency manager Kirstin Hofmann.
“The second phase will require additional work, including fencing, gates, natural buffer installation, and completion of the remaining trail segment. We anticipate that work to be completed by the end of this year, which will provide trail access from the LaBelle property in the valley up to Wildwood Park,” Hofmann said.
Johnson said the LaBelle property will create more public open space for people, “especially in an area of the city that currently does not have a community park and trail connections to other parks.”
At this time the city does not have significant funding set aside specifically for the park. They are going through a planning progress, which will identify future phases, costs and potential funding opportunities, he said.
“The planning effort will also evaluate aging infrastructure and shelters within Wildwood Park and identify opportunities to improve and expand trail connectivity and play space throughout the park system,” he said.
The LaBelle property is made up of wetlands. The News Tribune previously reported that the project would surround the west, south and east sides of the Diamond Sports Training Center.
“We want readers to know that the vision for this area is to create a more natural, conservation-oriented park experience. It will blend well with the wooded character of Wildwood Park while also highlighting the wetlands, aquatic habitat, and opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing throughout the valley,” Johnson said. “The project also presents an opportunity to create a more connected trail network between existing park areas and the new property.”
