People’s Park renewal is one of many project proposals that will be funded when Tacoma Parks District voters renew bond funding for critical park enhancements and replacements. The package will be on a special election ballot is due on April 28th.
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by Brett Johnson
The $155 million bond package includes more than 100 projects throughout Tacoma. The project list primarily takes care of existing assets over a 6-year time span. Projects will include urgent infrastructure updates and top neighborhood priorities identified through strategic planning.
The proposal will not raise tax rates. Parks Tacoma is paying off a prior bond debt this year. The package on the ballot will continue the same tax rate for property owners. Bond-supported projects will cost property owners the same $0.45 per $1,000 in assessed home value. Based on Tacoma’s average $553,000 house value, this average homeowner will pay close to $250 per year.
At the Environmental Coalition, we encourage you to vote to renew bond funding—it is in the best interests of the community and the environment.
Tacoma Parks has been a community leader when addressing climate resiliency. The proposal includes a “sustainability bucket” of funds to allow capital projects to include environmental improvements wherever work is being done.
It also includes funding for acquisition of new parks in underserved areas of town: west, south and east Tacoma.
Significantly, the package includes $2 million to “green up” rights of way, establishing pedestrian & bike paths along with tree/shrub planting. People’s Community Center will also be rebuilt to be more functional and energy-efficient.
- Jefferson Park
Since two arson fires destroyed the field house in 2021, permanent restrooms have not been available for park users. This project would construct a new restroom building and pump house for the sprayground. A small community space designed to support community gathering and activities within the park is also proposed.
- Point Defiance Park: New Play Area & Owen Beach Improvements
The bond replaces the 30-year-old playground at Point Defiance with a modern, nature-themed play and outdoor education area near the Mildred Street entrance to better serve families and students.
The Owen Beach parking lot would be revamped with bioswale and add filtering of runoff. Many other upgrades across the system should result in greater efficiency and conservation of water.
- People’s Community Center Redevelopment
This project will fully redevelop the 1978 facility in Hilltop to expand community gathering spaces and upgrade aging infrastructure, ensuring the center remains a safe, welcoming hub for the neighborhood.
People’s Park will feature a new urban plaza that could be used for small community events. Staff plans to work with the community to figure out what else is possible and how it could best connect to the planned redevelopment of nearby People’s Community Center.
Other Notable Projects Include:
- Safe Access: Construction of new pedestrian bridges at Swan Creek Park and Titlow Park to improve neighborhood connectivity.
- Infrastructure: Building new permanent restrooms at South Park to replace facilities lost to arson and vandalism.
- Conservation: A revisioning of the Japanese Garden at Point Defiance and capital improvements involving green stormwater systems.
Ballots are due Tuesday, April 28th!
Don’t miss out or lose your ballot.
Vote today and mail it in today!