Resources

Tacoma Community Gardens & Food Forests

Growing our social capital, by connecting people and building community

The Community Garden program provides gardening opportunities for the physical and social benefit of the people and neighborhoods of Tacoma. Opportunities include meeting your neighbors, becoming more self-reliant, beautifying your neighborhood, producing nutritious food, reducing your family food budget, conserving resources and getting outdoors for some healthy exercise.

Since September 2012, Pierce Conservation District (PCD) has been working with gardeners to oversee general operations at 66 gardens throughout the county, approximately half of which are located in Tacoma. The partnership agreement includes Metro Parks, City of Tacoma, Pierce County Public Works and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. For questions about a specific garden please contact the site coordinator.

City of Olympia Parks & Trails

The City of Olympia has over 1,200 acres of park land that consist of neighborhood, community, and open space parks, as well as recreational facilities. Each park has something unique to offer and amenities to better serve you. From playgrounds and ball fields to public art and wildlife habitats, come explore nature in a way that only Olympia can offer!

Park Hours: Olympia parks open at dawn and close at dusk, year around. Please be aware that several factors can impact gate openings and closings and that times can fluctuate based on road conditions, staff resources and unplanned circumstances.

For more information about Olympia’s parks call 360.753.8380 or submit a request online.

Note: Capitol Lake, Heritage, Marathon, and Sylvester Parks in downtown Olympia are part of the State Capitol Campus grounds and are managed by the State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services (DES). You can find information about these parks on the Washington DES website .

Metro Parks Tacoma- Park Finder

ABOUT METRO PARKS TACOMA
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community.

Good parks, open space and program services contribute to economic development by fostering economic benefits and promoting tourism.

Environmentally, they provide green infrastructure and help manage climate change.

Socially, they revitalize communities, create safer neighborhoods, help children learn and grow, improve public and environmental health, and support smart growth.

Culturally, open space and program services can nurture a sense of place in the community, and provide opportunities to engage the public of diverse backgrounds.

OUR MISSION
Creating healthy opportunities to play, learn and grow.

OUR VISION
Metro Parks Tacoma envisions a vibrant, active and engaged community.

OUR CORE VALUES
These eight core values will guide future decisions, business and operations, and the manner in which MPT treats staff, customers and the community:
Innovation
Excellence
Equity
Inclusiveness
Sustainability
Accountability
Safety
Fun

King County Parks Finder

The King County parks system consists of more than 200 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, and 215 miles of backcountry trails. From regional treasures such as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park to amenities such as athletic fields, regional trails, and pools, there is something for everyone in King County Parks. Learn more about open space in King County – read the King County Open Space Plan: Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas (2016).

To plan your visit to a park in King County today, visit the King County parks finder website here.

Information in this post was taken from the King County Parks website. For more information about King County parks, visit their home page here.

Natural Families- Community Forum

The Natural Family’s forum is designed to connect families virtually, giving space to share ideas and ask for suggestions, where families can be engaged, supportive and encouraged. Here, we discuss and ask questions about using the natural world as a playground for our kids, whereby connecting with nature on a regular basis, they will harvest the seeds of lifelong stewardship in and for the natural world.

Hike it Baby

Hike it Baby is dedicated to building communities that support getting families outside with children from birth to school age. Hike it Baby provides support to get families in nature as soon as they feel ready. Like it Baby is committed to raising a generation to love the outdoors. Although there is a small annual membership fee, Hike it Baby members get access to the calendar of hikes, an opportunity to participate in virtual challenges to motivate your family to get outside, the ability to utilize special discounts from partnering brands, and connection with families across North America. Find your hiking group today!

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens youth and family programs provide meaningful hands-on experiences for all ages, toddlers to teens. Visit their website today to learn more about:

School field trips

Summer Camps

Family Nature Classes

Fiddleheads Forrest Preschool

Night Hikes

Story Times

Washington State Parks

What’s your idea of fun? Whether it’s birdwatching, boating, mushing sled dogs, or digging for clams, you’ll find a place to pursue your passion in Washington’s many state parks. State parks welcome more than 33 million visitors each year, explore the parks website and plan your visit today!

Family Nature Clubs

Family Nature Clubs are a great way for families to come together to plan outings, learn from each other and even enjoy greater adventures like camping or backpacking. Learn how you can start your own and use Project Nature to connect with the events, parks, and the outdoors near you.

Seattle Parks and Recreation

Learn about parks in Seattle from the Parks and Recreation resource pages.

“Seattle Parks and Recreation provides welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate and build community, and promotes responsible stewardship of the land. We promote healthy people, a healthy environment, and strong communities.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) manages a 6,414-acre park system of over 485 parks and extensive natural areas. SPR provides athletic fields, tennis courts, play areas, specialty gardens, and more than 25 miles of boulevards and 120 miles of trails. The system comprises about 12% of the city’s land area. SPR also manages many facilities, including 27 community centers, eight indoor swimming pools, two outdoor (summer) swimming pools, four environmental education centers, two small craft centers, four golf courses, an outdoor stadium, and much more.

Seattle Parks and Recreation provides welcoming and safe opportunities to play, learn, contemplate and build community, and promotes responsible stewardship of the land. We promote healthy people, a healthy environment, and strong communities.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) manages a 6,414-acre park system of over 485 parks and extensive natural areas. SPR provides athletic fields, tennis courts, play areas, specialty gardens, and more than 25 miles of boulevards and 120 miles of trails. The system comprises about 12% of the city’s land area. SPR also manages many facilities, including 27 community centers, eight indoor swimming pools, two outdoor (summer) swimming pools, four environmental education centers, two small craft centers, four golf courses, an outdoor stadium, and much more.”

Resource Credit- “Seattle Parks and Recreation