Metro Parks Tacoma plans to remove a totem pole from a public park located on the city’s east side.
The totem pole was commissioned by a citizens group during the 1970s as part of a neighborhood arts grant, carved by Lummi Tribe member Joseph Washington, and placed in Portland Avenue Park. Two years ago, Metro Parks Tacoma officials informed community members the pole was showing severe signs of decay and would need to be removed. According to park officials, a large piece recently fell off the totem pole, prompting are neighbors to contact park officials due to public safety concerns. An artist with the Lummi Tribe has expressed interest in acquiring the pole, seeking restoration funding, and housing it inside a tribal education facility.
Metro Parks Tacoma officials plan to remove the totem pole this week. Portland Avenue Park is located at 3513 E. Portland Ave., in Tacoma.
Park officials are coordinating the transfer of the totem pole to the Lummi Business Council, and will work with Tacoma Public Utilities to move the totem pole to a temporary off-site storage location pending final transfer or declination by the Lummi Tribe.
