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Point Defiance roundabout work could start in August
In addition to all of the news you’ll find in this issue of Metro Parks Today, here is one more note: Stay tuned for the latest on the Point Defiance Park main entry Roundabout. It could start as early as August.
The project has been on the horizon for years, and now after a lot of design work and meetings with both the public and internally to evaluate impacts and work out the details of construction… it’s close. So close it’s now undergoing final permit review.
The Roundabout is meant to more efficiently and safely convey traffic to and from the park, boat launch and ferry landing. Pedestrian safety is part of the plan as well. You’ll also see a brand-new sign welcoming people to this signature park. You probably won’t notice the utility and sidewalk enhancements quite as much, but they’re important, too.
Once everything is worked out, construction could start as early as August. The hope is that most of the paving work will be wrapped up in time for Zoolights in December.
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Remember: The park and all of its attractions are OPEN while the Roundabout and all of the Destination Point Defiance projects continue. You can expect to see a couple of detours if you’re driving into the park once Roundabout construction begins, but they’ll get you where you need to go. Just follow the signs. You also may consider using the park’s Mildred Street entrance; that’s already a convenient way to get to the Zoo.
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Michael Thompson is
public information manager
of Metro Parks Tacoma. Contact
him at
(253) 305-1092 or
michaelt@tacomaparks.com
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Foundations supporting park assets; Park Board Notes July 2017
As a member of the Metro Parks Board of Commissioners, I am proud of the way our independent government agency serves the community with well-maintained parks, swimming pools, community centers and recreational opportunities for all kinds of people.
I am also proud to say we don’t do it alone. To expand our reach and improve efficiency, we regularly partner with other community-minded entities, such as Tacoma Public Schools. We also value and depend upon the labor and insights of the many volunteers who contribute thousands of hours annually to make our parks and programs the best they can be.
Fortunately, we also have the backing of five foundations that solicit donations and obtain grants to help pay for attractions and programs that Metro Parks could not otherwise afford. Whenever a foundation member addresses the Park Board, you can be sure to hear us saying, “Thank you!”
The oldest of these nonprofits is The Zoo Society, established in the 1940s to support Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The Northwest Trek Foundation solicits assistance for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The Fort Nisqually Foundation bolsters what goes on at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. The W.W. Seymour Conservatory Foundation does the same for the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in Wright Park.
Finally, the Greater Metro Parks Foundation assists donors to support specific projects and programs, such as Specialized Recreation and Adaptive Kids Fund. Through the Imagine Eastside Campaign, in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, the foundation will help provide sustainable funds to double of the number of kids served in youth programs at the $30 million Eastside Community Center.
A beauty of foundations is that they welcome contributions earmarked for specific purposes. For example, if you’re a big fan of the Conservatory, your donations to the foundation offset ongoing maintenance costs there.
A memorandum of understanding with Metro Parks authorizes the fundraising activities of each foundation and specifies how the money will be distributed. For example, donations to the Fort Nisqually Foundation support the restoration, preservation, historical interpretation and education programs of the museum.
This year, foundation contributions account for nearly 7 percent of Fort Nisqually’s funding. Also, this year, the foundation provides $13,700 in direct support of efforts beyond what the museum can budget. Those include school tours, exhibits, events, research, volunteers and staff development.
The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a significant beneficiary of donations and grants through The Zoo Society. This year alone, the Society expects to contribute more than $500,000 for Zoo programs and more than $2.3 million for capital projects such as the Pacific Seas Aquarium now under construction.
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The bottom line is that many Metro Parks attractions require immense financial support, and the foundations’ contributions are crucial. I’m appreciative of the dedicated people who keep the foundations running. You can learn more about the foundations and their good work on the Metro Parks website.
Aaron Pointer is the clerk of the Board of Commissioners. He first became a commissioner in April 2001 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. In 2012, he served as president of the board.
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Aaron Pointer
Clerk,
Metro Parks
Tacoma
B
oard
of Commissioners
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Capital Improvement Projects
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Help name Point Defiance Park’s breakwater peninsula
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Metro Parks welcomes suggestions for new area that opens in 2018; deadline is Aug. 4
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Public invited to give input on future of Portland Avenue Community Center and Park
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Second in series of public meetings scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 5.
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Street through Stewart Heights Park to be named after Tacoma police officer
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Reginald Gutierrez Lane to be dedicated July 19; public welcome to attend.
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Health care company founded in Tacoma marks its centennial with major gift to the community
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Cambia Health Solutions’ gift celebrates the city’s lumber industry heritage.
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It’s Wild Cat Weekend at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has set aside two days, July15 and 16, to highlight wild cats.
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Point Defiance Lodge – now Visitors Center – recognized as historic
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1898 structure is only remaining building from the early days of Point Defiance Park.
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Keeper Spotlight at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, July 15
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Talk to keepers, watch animals up close, and see a showcase of enrichment toys and special food items that keepers use.
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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium joins with 18 other aquariums to draw attention to the problem of plastic pollution
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Plastic bags. Microplastics. Microfibers. They and other forms of plastic trash are clogging our ocean.
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Point Defiance Marina is honored with grant
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Grow Boating award comes from the Northwest Marine Trade Association.
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Celebrate an all-American July with Red (foxes), white (swans) and caribou at Northwest Trek
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Another American bison calf was born at Northwest Trek.
Read More >
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A great deal: Four-and-a-half hours at the zoo for half off general admission
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What’s greater than a mid-summer bargain? How about a mid-summer bargain that includes...
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Upcoming Events & Public Meetings
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, July 14
Saturday, July 15
Sunday, July 16
Tuesday, July 18
Wednesday, July 19
Thursday, July 20
Friday, July 21
Saturday, July 22
Sunday, July 23
Monday, July 24
Wednesday, July 26
Friday, July 28
Saturday, July 29
Sunday, July 30
Tuesday, August 1
Wednesday, August 2
Friday, August 4
Saturday, August 5
Sunday, August 6
Monday, August 7
Friday, August 11
Saturday, August 12
Sunday, August 13
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PUBLIC MEETINGS
Board of Park Commissioners Meeting
Monday, July 24
Monday, August 14 & 28
Capital Improvement Committee
Wednesday, July 26
Wednesday, August 16 & 30
Committee of the Whole
Monday, July 17 & 31
Monday, August 21
Eastside Community Center Public Meeting
Informational discussions about the Point Defiance Park main entrance roundabout.
Saturday, August 5; 10 am-noon
Held at Portland Ave. Community Center,
3513 Portland Ave.
Read more >
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Metro Parks Tacoma | (253) 305-1000 | metroparkstacoma.org
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