Nature tours and volunteer park cleanup: Metro Parks Tacoma has a full winter calendar
.jpg "Volunteers can help other park stewards maintain the Tacoma Nature Center’s trails at work party events in February and March.")
If you want to give back to the community while learning about Tacoma’s ecological history, then sign up for a volunteer event or check out a family activity with Metro Parks Tacoma. The organization offers regular nature tours, outdoor recreation and volunteer opportunities to help park stewards restore natural habitats.
Here is how you can enjoy and get involved with Metro Parks this winter.
Tacoma Parks winter nature walks
Meet a naturalist at one of the organization’s parks this winter and learn about the surrounding area’s plants and animals. The tours are great outdoor educational opportunities for families with kids ages 3 and up. Pets are not allowed on the tours, but service animals are allowed. Each event is on a Saturday, and sign up is free. You can register on the park’s website.
Upcoming tours include:
Titlow Park: Take a stroll on this grassy park near Titlow Beach and next to Puget Sound. The event is 10-11 a.m. on Jan. 21 and begins at Titlow Lodge at 8425 6th Ave. Online registration is closed, so if you are interested in joining then you can join by contacting the park’s office at 253-305-1000.
Swan Creek Park: Join a naturalist at this park known for its streams filled with salmon, a community garden, upland forest and mountain bike trails. The event is from 1-2 p.m. on Jan. 21 and starts at the Lister Uplands entrance at 4738 East T St. Online registration is closed, so if you are interested in joining then you can join by contacting the park’s office at 253-305-1000.
Oak Tree Park: Learn about the native oak ecosystem of this 25-acre park. The event is from 10-11 a.m. on Feb. 11 and takes place at 7633 South Montgomery St.
Wapato Park: Explore this park’s lush forest and lake. The event is from 1-2 p.m. on Feb. 11. The group will meet near the park’s pergola at 6500 South Sheridan Ave.
Volunteer work parties
You can also assist habitat stewards by helping maintain various parks and restore natural areas throughout Tacoma. At these events, volunteers will help remove invasive plants and preserve already existing plants while learning about each park’s respective ecosystem. Gloves are required, but the park association will provide volunteers with a pair if needed. Each event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon every day they’re offered.
All participants must pre-register for an event on the park’s website before attending any event. Events offered through March include:
Oak Tree Park: Participants will meet at the Pine Street entrance at 7633 South Montgomery St. Cleanups are on Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 18.
McKinley Park: The event is at 907 Upper Park Drive and takes place Jan. 21, Feb. 18 and March 18.
Wapato Lake Park: Meet the steward near the dog park entrance at 6500 South Sheridan Ave. The events are on Jan. 28, Feb. 25 and March 25.
Charlotte’s Blueberry Park: Find parking on D Street and travel to the park at 7402 East D St. The parties take place Jan. 28, Feb. 25 and March 25.
China Lake Park: Join the habitat steward at 1811 S. Shirley St. An event takes place Feb. 4 and March 4.
Swan Creek Park: Meet at Swan Creek Park’s Lister Uplands entrance at 4738 East T St. Unlike other volunteer events, this one takes place from noon to 2 p.m. and occurs on Feb. 5 and March 5.
Senator Rosa Franklin Park: The volunteer event is at 1201 S. Puget Sound Ave. and is on Feb. 11 and March 11.
Tacoma Nature Center stewardship work party
If you want to stay connected with the parks around Tacoma throughout the winter, you can also attend a volunteer work party with habitat stewards who help maintain the Tacoma Nature Center trails and grounds. You can help cut vegetation, remove invasive species and maintain planting beds and gardens. Anyone can attend, regardless of age, but children must be supervised by adults. The park will provide equipment it has available, but recommends people bring their own equipment, including gloves.
Where: Tacoma Nature Center, 1919 South Tyler St.
When: 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 3, Feb. 17, March 3, March 17
