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News & Notes March 2016
  

Happy March. Projects funded by the 2014 capital improvement bond often mean construction noise and other inconveniences, but eventually projects cross a finish line and we get to celebrate the results.

You can join one of those celebrations at 1 p.m. this Saturday, March 5, as Metro Parks opens its first all-weather athletic field at the South End Recreation and Adventure (SERA) Campus.

We'll have special guests to help, including former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant and Tacoma Stars players: defender Adam West and goalkeeper Christopher Kintz.  
In This Issue





Michael Thompson is
public information officer
of Metro Parks Tacoma.
Contact him at
(253) 305-1092 or
#ImagineEastside

Metro Parks is working with a large group of partner organizations to develop a new community center for Tacoma's Eastside.

To get an idea of why this is needed, visit ImagineEastside.org and watch the video...

People's Community Center

Meanwhile, the City of Tacoma continues work on the People's Community Center pool. You can get an idea of the progress by checking out these photos


Public Art on the Peninsula

On Monday, March 14, you can stop by Metro Parks headquarters to see art concepts for the new 11-acre park on the peninsula at Point Defiance.
The new park, next to Tacoma Yacht Club, is part of Metro Parks' "Waterfront Phase I" project, which began...

Fort Nisqually, Part I

Fort Nisqually is on track to reopen to the public this month after a two-month soil remediation project, just in time for warmer weather. We'll post on Facebook and the FortNisqually.org website when the...

Additional notes

Metro Parks has been asking for a lot of community participation and input lately. You can expect more. A lot more. The capital improvement bond voters passed in 2014 is funding projects across the district, and we need to know what residents think as plans are developed.

If you can't attend a public meeting, you'll usually find the information easily accessible on the Metro Parks website along with plenty of ways to comment.
 
We're also more than happy to visit your organization and give a presentation about upcoming projects or other topics - contact Chief Public Affairs Officer Hunter George at [email protected] to request a talk.

Here are a few more opportunities to share your feedback:

  • Japanese Garden. Metro Parks is planning improvements to the Japanese Garden as well as the area around the Pagoda in Point Defiance Park. We'll have a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Pagoda to continue the discussion and take a look at design options. Details to come. ...
  • Fort Nisqually, Part II. In case you missed it, exciting possibilities for Fort Nisqually were presented in a public meeting last month. The process we're going through now is long-range planning, so don't expect anything to be built overnight - that's another process - but you can visit FortNisqually.org and see the ideas, including a new visitor center, improved parking and potential new structures.

    You also can participate in an open house at Metro Parks Headquarters, 4702 S. 19th St., at 5 p.m. Monday, March 28. At 5:30 p.m., our consultants will give a presentation to the Park Board in a study session (it's also open to the public).
  • Foss Waterway Park and Central Park improvements. This public process also drew good comments and helped Metro Parks and its consultants narrow down potential improvements for the sites. You can read more about the projects, look over drawings and give even more input by visiting metroparkstacoma.org/foss.
  • Mission Led Comprehensive Plan. Thank you to all those who attended the Feb. 24 and 25 public meetings to discuss the district's next six-year Mission Led Comprehensive Plan. The plan is meant to ensure Metro Parks is providing the programs, parks and other facilities district residents want and need. Our consultants have been gathering valuable feedback since late 2015, and we expect to have findings and recommendations within the next few months. Learn more by clicking here.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE PARK DISTRICT:
Capital Projects Update: To view the status of capital projects throughout the district click here. Updates will be posted on or before the 10th of every month.
 


One of the largest play spaces in the Puget Sound region opens April 2 at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park      
Read More >


Trufant, Tacoma Stars to join celebration of new athletic field
Read More >

Metro Parks Tacoma wins kudos for accounting excellence
Read More >

Tacoma Waterfront Association taps Point Defiance Marina supervisor as leader
Read More >

Lend a hand with Point Defiance roses, learn how to shape your own March 5
Read More >

Popular career day set for March 5 at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Read More >

Dive in to experience the magic of marine life during Ocean Commotion Weekend, March 19-20
Read More > 

Join in the fun at the Swan Creek Mud Run March 19
Read More >


Monday, March 14 & 28; 6 pm

Weds, March 16 & 30; 5:00 pm

Monday, March 21; 5:30 pm

Zoo Trek Authority Meeting
Wednesday, March 9; 5:00 pm

Fort Nisqually Public Meeting
Monday, March 28; 5:00 pm

Japanese Garden Public Meeting
Thursday, March 24; 6 pm


Saturday, March 5
 
Wednesday, March 9
 
Saturday, March 12
 
Sunday, March 13
 
Thursday, March 17
 
Friday, March 18
 
Saturday, March 19
 
Sunday, March 20
 
Thursday, March 24
 
Saturday, March 26
 
Friday, April 1
 
Saturday, April 2
Ryan's Park Volunteer Work Party
 
Monday, April 4
 
Tuesday, April 5
 
Wednesday, April 6
 
Thursday, April 7
 
Friday, April 8

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