Community Government Health & Wellness

Parks projects off the ground but long way to go

PenMet Parks commissioners heard updates Tuesday about a new park at the former Peninsula Gardens nursery site and enhancements to Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Park. Both are on the way, though neither will be enjoyed anytime soon.

Of the two, the sandspit effort is a bit ahead. Tacoma DeMolay already exists as a Fox Island park, and the board adopted an improvement master plan on March 19. Though the Peninsula Gardens property has been developed, it must be converted from a former nursery to a park. Commissioners are scheduled to accept its master plan on Jan. 7.

DeMolay Sandspit site plan. Courtesy of PenMet Parks/Baumweld Architects

Derrick Eberle of consultant Baumweld Architects told the board during a study session at Arletta Schoolhouse that design of sandspit park improvements is 30% complete. At the end of January, 60% construction documents will be submitted to Pierce County for an estimated six-month permitting process. That will continue into July, followed by a month to finalize the plans.

DeMolay park construction tentatively set for fall 2026

The timeline calls for issuing a bid request in spring 2026 with construction that summer and completion in the fall.

The master plan improvements are upland from the spit itself. PenMet is partnering with Pierce Conservation District on a simultaneous shoreline restoration project that primarily removes old concrete bulkheads and restores the natural slope. That work is tentatively scheduled to begin in August 2025, during which the uplands project would be halted to allow use of a paved entry to the park that’s targeted for removal.

Derrick Eberle of consultant Baumweld Architects speaks during an earlier meeting.

Starting from the top of the 3.6-acre property, the parking lot will be enlarged from 23 spaces to 39. A sidewalk leads from it to Island Boulevard and follows the road down to a drop-off area with two handicapped parking stalls. Stairs from the parking lot and a sidewalk from the drop-off zone meet at an upper lawn flanked by a restroom and picnic shelter.

Two walkways to beach

Two walkways drop down to the beach. A direct, shorter route is accomplished using stairs. Alongside it, an Americans with Disabilities Act-conforming paved path winds back and forth for 600 feet to the same destination. They reach a smaller lawn, second restroom and concrete beach plaza with picnic tables. The beach can be accessed from three points.

The project won’t require as much grading and filling as originally believed, which is good news for the budget and environment, Eberle said Tuesday. Much of it would occur along the switchback patch to keep it below the 5% ADA slope. Trees would be lost there for the same reason.

“We’re trying to keep all that we can, but it is a challenge,” Eberle said.

Sketch view from the drop-off area. Courtesy of PenMet Parks/Baumweld Architects

PenMet in February 2023 approved a $1.9 million budget for the project, one of its capital priorities. That total includes $1.2 million toward the highest priorities identified in the master plan.

Eberle in February estimated the total cost at $2.75 million. The work will be split into two phases. PenMet Executive Director Ally Bujacich said Tuesday that the district is still deciding what each phase will comprise.

Phase 2 candidates

Eberle said in February that replacing an old concrete blockhouse with a new building, paving the parking lot and adding the lower lawn, restroom and beach plaza might be candidates for Phase 2.

PenMet expects to close a large portion of the park during construction, though details are yet to be determined, Bujacich said.

The parks district acquired the former camp on the northeast tip of the island in 2010 from the Tacoma DeMolay club.

Peninsula Gardens update

During the regular board meeting, Sarah Singleton-Schroedel of consultant AHBL provided the latest news on the Peninsula Gardens draft master plan prior to its adoption next month.

Peninsula Gardens preferred alternative. Courtesy of PenMet Parks/AHBL

Commissioners viewed the plan during on Oct. 15 and offered feedback. Consultants updated the plan to reorient the pickleball courts to north-south and provide an enclosed community gathering space.

The 10.6-acre West Gig Harbor park will feature a great lawn large enough for U-12 soccer games with a performance space, picnic shelters and benches ringing the grass. The plan includes two sand volleyball courts, six pickleball courts, separate playgrounds for big and little kids, a small community garden, art and restrooms. On the east side are small- and large-dog off-leash parks and hiking trails meandering the existing forest.

$3.7 million allotted so far

The park district’s 6-year capital improvement plan for 2025 and 2026 includes $3.7 million to design and build the first phase. The plan estimates the total cost at $10.5 million. Singleton-Schroedel cautioned that Phase 1 will “set the table” for amenities that won’t come until later as more funding becomes available.

Consultant Sarah Singleton-Schroedel at a previous meeting. Photo by Ed Friedrich

The first phase will include several site studies, design, permitting, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, retaining walls, grading, water, storm water, parking lot update and demolition of existing buildings. PenMet expects design and permitting to occur in 2025-26, followed by construction in 2026-27.

Lawn part of Peninsula Gardens first phase

“At the end of Phase 1, the new park site will feature a parking lot, the great lawn for multi-use activities and walking trails,” the plan states.

Though Phase 1 won’t provide sports courts or playgrounds, the staging should prevent having to close the grounds to add those amenities later.

“Now that we have the vision, how do we do this in a thoughtful way?” Singleton-Schroedel said. “How can we make it a real asset, a park, from the get-go? We incorporate sidewalks and the great lawn and plant some trees so they can develop. You don’t get to see the hard work, but you set the table for subsequent phrases. In the second phase you focus on the playgrounds, active sports areas, restrooms and shelters.”

The parks district purchased the former nursery for $1 million in 2011.

The board passed a resolution Tuesday that designated the Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Park and Peninsula Gardens projects as its 2025 legislative priorities for funding from the capital budget. PenMet received a $1 million allocation for its community recreation center in 2023.

Dog park closure extended

Supply chain delays and poor weather have bumped the Tubby’s Trail Dog Park closure from Nov. 30 to the end of the year, PenMet said.

The parks district opened a temporary dog park at Peninsula Gardens, but the county permit expired on Nov. 30. Bujacich said Tuesday that PenMet is working with the county to try to extend the permit.

Tubby’s closed on July 15 to install a new stepped rain garden, ADA accessible parking and a new ADA walking trail that allows users to access the rain garden.

The outer portion won’t open until spring 2025 to allow grass and shrubs time to establish. Rotary Bark Park at 10100 Bujacich Road NW is available.