Point Defiance Park
Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Washington is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The 702-acre (2.84 km2) park includes Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Rose Garden, Rhododendron Garden, the Camp 6 Logging Museum, beaches, trails, a boardwalk, a boathouse, a Washington State Ferries ferry dock for the Point Defiance-Tahlequah route to Vashon Island, Fort Nisqually, an off-leash dog park, and most notably a stand of old-growth forest. More than two million people visit it every year. Point Defiance Park is maintained and operated by the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma.
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[edit] Wildlife
Point Defiance Park offers something for all its visitors, both whales, wildlife and people. Not all the wild animals are confined inside Zoo & Aquarium. From high cliffs overlooking the Tacoma Narrows people can watch Bald Eagles feed on salmon runs passing through on the strong tidal currents. Their calls can be heard from their nests in the old growth forest that is preserved and make up the northern 400 acres (1.6 km2) of the park.
In winter sea lions migrating from California frolic and feed in the swirling tides that rush beneath the Gig Harbor overlook—the northern most point of the peninsula. Harbor seals are common near the tip of the point most of the year. Seal pups are frequently observed north of Owen Beach in late summer and early fall (humans and their dogs should keep their distance to avoid spooking the pups.)
The park also provides habitat for mule deer, red foxes, pileated woodpeckers, Douglas squirrels, and raccoons. The latter are often fed from cars despite numerous signs noting that feeding wild animals is illegal in the park.
Endangered Species: One of the unique features of the park is to sit in quiet contemplation in one of the Japanese Gardens. At sunset wolves howl as the sun sinks into the tall trees with the Olympic Mountains silhouetted on the horizon. The wolves are temporary guests as part of a restoration project for endangered species that the Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park sponsor.
[edit] Recreation
As the largest urban park in Pierce County, the network of roads and trails weaving through the forest preserve provides a quiet retreat for joggers, cyclists, hikers, and friendly stoners. Trails are marked with symbols, but it is best to just enjoy being lost in its beautiful wilderness. Portions of The Five are closed to cars on Sunday, allowing humans to roam free, without having fear of being ran over by cars. There are many great hiking trails along Pt. Defiance's cliffs, that have sweeping views of Vashon Island, Dalco Passage, Gig Harbor, and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The road network also passes by Fort Nisqually.
From Owen Beach, kayakers launch and ride the strong currents north into the tidal rips. Fishermen drift in these tides waiting for salmon bound to south sound rivers. The 100-foot (30 m) tall cliffs provide a buffer. Gliding out into the narrows, kayakers find a quiet oasis in the middle of an urban environment. There are also many beach goes, willing to venture further up the pennensula.
[edit] History
Point Defiance Park began as a military reservation after the Wilkes Expedition visited Puget Sound in the 1840s to map the bays and estuaries. Wilkes is thought to have noted that with a fort positioned at the point, and at Gig Harbor across the narrows, one could "Defy" the world.[2] The high cliffs and prominent location were never used for military operations. In 1888 President Grover Cleveland authorized its use as a public park. By 1890 streetcars brought visitors to wander among the gardens. In 1903 a waterfront pavilion was completed. By 1907 a seaside resort designed by Frederick Heath offered heated saltwater bathing in a pavilion called the Nereides Baths located on a bluff above the boathouse.
Fort Nisqually is a replica of Hudson's Bay Company's presence in the region in 19th century when the English trading company had trading forts stretching from Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River, Fort Nisqually on south Puget Sound near the Nisqually River and continuing to the Far North to Fort Yukon on the Yukon River in Canadian territory which later became the state of Alaska.
In recent years, Fort Nisqually programs invite traders, trappers and Indian Tribes to dress in period costume and return to the fort replica for a weekend of re-enacting this early period of trade and travel through the region by birch bark canoe.
[edit] Formal Gardens
The gardens remain today. Visitors find a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Dahlia gardens surrounding the former superintendent's home. The home was built in 1898 in the year of the Yukon Gold Rush. The gardens are located near the park's main entrance on the approach to the Zoo & Aquarium. It is sited on a bluff looking down on a bustling waterfront containing the boathouse, Anthony's Restaurant and Washington State ferry landing providing access to Vashon Island.
Weddings in historical structures: The prominent feature in the Japanese Garden is the Pagoda built in 1914 as a streetcar station. When buses replaced street cars in urban areas throughout the West, the Pagoda became a waiting area for buses in 1938. In 1963 it was transformed into a center for flower shows and social gatherings. The Pagoda and Lodge were refurbished in 1988 and today are rented throughout the year for weddings and receptions.
[edit] Brownfields & boating facilities
After a century of depositing slag into the waters of Puget Sound, Asarco's Tacoma Smelter created a peninsula to form the park's protected harbor. The Tacoma Yacht Club sits on the peninsula's promontory as a guardian of snug harbor. A public boat launch at the entrance of the harbor is part of the park's recreational facilities.
[edit] Zoo & Aquarium
[edit] Science and Math Institute
In the fall of 2009, Tacoma Public Schools opened the Science and Math Institute (SAMI), a science- and math-centered magnet high school within Point Defiance Park. SAMI features classes on the beach, pagoda, forests, and Zoo. Metro Parks approached the school district and gave them space for portable classrooms.[3] The school has a concept and schedule similar to the district's other magnet high school, Tacoma School of the Arts (TSOTA).
[edit] References
- ^ Overland Monthly LXVIII (3). September 1916.
- ^ http://thepark.thenewstribune.com/history/
- ^
- Tacoma Public Schools (2009-06-10). "SAMI". http://www.TSAMI.ORG. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Point Defiance Park |
- Official website of Point Defiance Park
- Virtual tour of Point Defiance Park
- Official Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium website
- The News Tribune celebrates the park's 100th anniversary
- Fort Nisqually- Official site of Fort Nisqually
- Point Defiance Park- from GoSleepGo
- Camp 6 Logging Museum
Coordinates: 47°19′N 122°32′W / 47.31°N 122.53°W
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