- 8/26/2010 - Celebrate the Grand Opening of Discovery Pond
- 8/26/2010 - Park District partnership with Goodwill STEPS program benefits both youth and the community
- 8/26/2010 - Park Board to explore healthy foods policy
- 7/30/2010 - Audit report: 11 years with no findings
- 7/30/2010 - Garfield Park is temporarily closed during 2005 Park Improvement Bond construction work
- 7/16/2010 - Vote Daily for Dog Park Video!
- 6/30/2010 - Tacoma resident is one of 59 contestants vying for half-million dollar donation
- 6/18/2010 - Life Jacket Program at Point Defiance Marina
- 5/28/2010 - Vision Presented for Restoration of People’s Pool
- 5/28/2010 - Point Defiance Kiosk Relocation and Rejuvenation
New programs and improvements at Tacoma Nature Center
Jul 30, 2009
Tacoma Nature Center (TNC) Program Manager Michele Cardineaux is excited about updated programs and facility improvements taking place as the center celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year. TNC’s new Nature Preschool, which launches in September, has already achieved 80% enrollment in its morning sessions. Several significant capital updates underway at the center add to that excitement.
The State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) selected a wetland restoration project at the Nature Center as part of its environmental mitigation for expansion of SR-16. WSDOT will re-establish an historic wetland area (0.42 acres of wetland, and 2.18 acres of restored buffer), beginning with excavation work that is currently underway. Over the course of 10-12 days, 100-120 truck movements in and out of site are expectedly daily as the fill is sorted and removed from the site. Following excavation, WSDOT will begin work on an extensive habitat restoration plan to help ensure successful habitat recovery. The comprehensive plan includes native plantings and the relocation of snags typically found in wetland environments.
In addition the center’s building is currently undergoing updates as part of the Four Centers bond project, and plans are underway for a new Children’s Nature Exploration Area. Design plans for the ADA accessible environmental discovery space will replicate a mini-wetland with a bio-filtered pond, plantings and specially designed crawling and climbing features that encourage young children to engage in active outdoor exploration. Staff leveraged $535,000 of bond funding to secure a $360,000 grant from the State’s Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) making it possible to create the new learning environment which is anticipated to open next year.
