Metro Parks Tacoma: Public meetings scheduled to discuss Point Defiance Park Master Plan

January 20, 2015 10:45 am
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Metro Parks Tacoma: Public meetings scheduled to discuss Point Defiance Park Master Plan

Metro Parks Tacoma planners are about to begin the final phase of the Point Defiance Park Master Plan process, and they need public input to help.

Several years ago, Metro Parks Tacoma planners engaged the public in discussions about the future of Point Defiance Park. Their work culminated in a 2008 Concept Plan that captured a wealth of public input about the direction the park should take. Since that time, Metro Parks Tacoma staff have continued working with the public, advisory groups, and foundations to advance the Master Plan and to refine programs within the park, including feasibility and pre-design for the zoo & aquarium projects.

“We’ve kept the community engaged from the start, and now we’re ready to bring the process to a conclusion,” said Metro Parks Tacoma Board President Tim Reid. “We’re looking to ensure the Master Plan meets the public’s needs and desires.”

The 2014 Capital Bond is the catalyst to advance additional improvements within the park, starting with the creation of a formal park Master Plan. This effort is directly tied to an opportunity for Metro Parks Tacoma to enter into a Development Regulation Agreement (DRA) with the City of Tacoma that aims to streamline the process of undertaking multiple projects in the park for years to come while saving costs. Metro Parks Tacoma planners intend to finish the Master Plan process by the end of spring this year and to then forward a DRA to the City of Tacoma. It is hoped that the City will approve the DRA this fall.

The Master Plan process in the first half of 2015 is meant to affirm the shared vision and direction for the park established in 2008 and to refine the Concept Plan in light of the 2014 bond and other developments. Citizens are being asked to review the Concept Plan, which they can find at DestinationPointDefiance.org, and to then participate in the process.

To ensure that a high level of public engagement continues, the park district is providing multiple ways for citizens to give input. All may be found at DestinationPointDefiance.org, which directs to a Web site for news and information about Point Defiance Park projects. The page includes background information on the park’s major project areas, news about projects, a list of ways to give input, and a calendar of events.

Metro Parks Tacoma planners also have scheduled four open houses to provide opportunities for the public to participate, learn, and give input. Each will begin at 6 p.m. at the Pagoda in Point Defiance Park: Thurs., Jan. 29: Review of the 2008 Concept Plan for Point Defiance Park; Thurs., Feb. 26: This meeting will build on the Jan. 29 meeting; Thurs., March 26: This meeting will build on the Feb. 26 meeting; and Thurs., April 23: A review of the semifinal master plan that will be submitted to the Board for approval in late spring.

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To read the Tacoma Daily Index‘s complete and comprehensive coverage of Point Defiance Park, click on the following links:

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