Popular Tacoma park will have heavy traffic this weekend. Tips on parking
Point Defiance Park and nearby boat launch will experience heavy traffic this weekend.
According to a news release from Parks Tacoma, traffic will be heavier than normal because of the Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival, WDFW’s free fishing weekend and salmon fishing opening in Marine Area 11.
The Flower & Garden Festival will be held at 5400 N. Pearl St. on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $20, according to the website.
People driving to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Fort Nisqually or Owen Beach should use the Mildred Street entrance, the release said.
“Paid parking is available in the multipurpose lot above the boat launch parking lot. All vehicles are $16. Drivers entering the park from the Pearl Street entrance should take the first exit from the roundabout and continue up the hill,” the release said. “Free parking is extremely limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis on neighborhood streets. Additional free parking can be found at the Point Ruston parking garage, a short walk over the Wilson Way pedestrian bridge. Due to the expectation of a busy fishing and boating weekend, it is recommended that only vehicles towing boat trailers use the lot nearest the boat launch.”
Visitors can find ADA-accessible spots on a first-come, first-served basis near the Lodge crosswalk, and residents can use a drop-off area in front of the Point Defiance Pagoda.
“Parks Tacoma strongly encourages visitors to take advantage of alternative transportation, including Pierce Transit route 10 from Tacoma Community College and route 11 from downtown,” the release said. “A complimentary shuttle will transport visitors from the Point Defiance Pagoda to different destinations in the park during festival hours. Stops will be located at the Pagoda, the Rhododendron Garden, Fort Nisqually and NW Native Garden. Shuttles will run approximately every 20 minutes on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.”
To look at a map of available parking and traffic impacts, visit www.ParksTacoma.gov/FGF-Traffic. For more information on bus routes, fares and schedules, visit www.PierceTransit.org.
