A beach pavilion, whale sculpture play area, parking, easier water access, safer entry/exits and climate-resilient design will all be unveiled at reopening celebration of popular Tacoma beach.
Tacoma’s most popular beach is back! Smooth oval benches echoing the shape of the canoes that have graced this sand since time immemorial. A climbable whale sculpture. A sparkling pavilion sheltering community gatherings and science classes alike. Oh, and plenty of parking, too.
After 16 months of extensive, bond-funded renovations, Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park will reopen with new facilities, road and trail entry/exit and climate-resilient design with a public celebration 11a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday June 4.
The opening celebration on June 4 will include light refreshments, kayak rentals, pavilion tours, and a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m. The event also marks the kick-off of the Tacoma Trails Challenge, with on-site signups and swag bags.
Among the new features to be unveiled Saturday:
- A new, two-way entry-exit road for vehicles, with safer sightlines at the intersection with Five Mile Drive
- Conversion of the old entry road to a safe trail for pedestrians, bicycles and other non-motorized transport
- New, bigger parking lot with ADA-accessible drop-off zones close to the water
- New restrooms and water-view benches, including large, canoe-shaped table-top benches
- A brand-new beach pavilion shared with Science and Math Institute marine science classes and seasonal food concessions, all available for rentals
- New ADA-accessible children’s play area, with sea-blue surface, wide slide and interactive nature sculptures, like a stick fort and a whale that can be climbed inside, decorated with the Japanese wood-charring technique shou sugi ban
- Lush new lawn, ADA-accessible plaza and pathways
- New kayak launch slope, with former bathhouse building converted to kayak rental and storage
- Native plantings amid driftwood for beautifying and mitigation
- Improved support infrastructure including utilities (water line, fiber optic cables, storm and sanitary sewer) and drainage
- Renovated existing WPA picnic shelter
- Removal of existing concrete, installation of new gravel
- New signage illustrating the long history of Owen Beach as cultural meeting point for Indigenous tribes on Canoe Journey
