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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

Aaron Pointer, PresidentTim Reid, Clerk

Jerry Thorpe

Bernado Tuma

Victoria Woodards

Jack Wilson, Executive Director

STEERING COMMITTEE

Fred Brookshire South End Neighborhood Council Chair

John Pellessier South End Neighborhood Council

Dean Johnny Safe Streets

Michele Chapin Resident

Debbi Hanson Metro Parks Tacoma, Recreation

Lee Fellenberg Metro Parks Tacoma, Parks & Building Services

Greg Guild Metro Parks Tacoma, Parks & Building Services

Marina Becker Metro Parks Tacoma, Parks & Building Services

DESIGN TEAM

METRO PARKS TACOMA

Doug Fraser Design and Construction Manager

Kristi Evans Project Manager

Sheree Trefry Graphic Designer

CONSULTANTSArchitects BCRA Building Assessments

Agua Tierra Land and Water Services, Inc. Wetland Assessment

Stephanie Bower Architectural Illustrations

ACKNOWLED

GEMENTS

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WAPATOPARKMASTERPLANMETROPARKSTACOMASEPTEMBER2005

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IllustrativeDrawing

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Project Overview

This plan for Wapato Park is the first comprehensive master plan for the

park. Wapato Park was established in the early 1920s as a public park after

serving as an informal and private recreation facility since the late 1800s.

The park has continued to expand into the 21st century, as adjoining in-lots

were purchased. At its current size of 87.49 acres Wapato Park is the third

largest park in the city and contains the largest freshwater lake at 34 acres.

The design of the park evolved in part from the former 364 acre estate of

Randolph F. Radebaugh that was developed in the late 1800s as a private

park retreat for the developing suburbs at the end of the streetcar line. Much

of the parks character and infrastructure date back to the improvements

made as part of the 1930s Work Progress Administration (WPA), whichbrought to Tacoma, as it did to so much of the country, a great surge of

recreational amenity construction.

Wapato Park continues to be a popular destination

for residents to stroll, enjoy family outings, or just

to relax. Yet, with this popularity and the toll from

the years of use a number of issues need to be

addressed in order to preserve and maintain this

significant park so it can continue to meet the

recreational needs of the community.

This adopted Master Plan is the first step.

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

Bathhouse 2005

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Vision Statement

Wapato Park is one of Tacomas signature parks

and will continue to be a focal point, of not only

the South Tacoma Neighborhood but also thesurrounding region as a vital urban park and

green space. From its roots dating back to the late

1800s, Wapato Park has developed as a family

oriented resort style park for those seeking a

high quality leisure experience in a close to home

natural setting. The park will be well known as a

high quality, safe, family oriented park that offers

diverse recreational and passive leisure activities

within an urban natural area. The park will host a

number of community events and new and revital-

ized facilities will provide highly desirable loca-

tions for group rentals, and lake oriented recre-

ation. The park will be an outstanding example of

sustainable park development and management.

Wapato Park 1938courtesy of the Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room

North Wetland 2005

EXECUTIV

ESUMMARY

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Pergola 2005

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Design Principles

Arising from the input by the community during the first stages of fact-finding

a number of common themes were repeated. These popular impressions

and hopes became the basis for the following set of Design Principles thatwere utilized throughout the design process to guide the final master plan.

Signature Park Development (Resort Concept)

The Long Range Strategic Plan for Metro Parks has developed a

category of parks entitled Signature Parks of which five such

facilities exist throughout the park system. Each of these designated

parks serves primarily as a community level park but is distinguished

by its own set of unique characteristics. Wapato Park, by virtue of

having the largest lake within the City of Tacoma, has historicallybeen a destination park for families seeking a summer outing experi-

ence. The legacy of the WPA created a physical environment remi-

niscent of the resort retreats of the Adirondacks and the architectural

style found throughout the national park system. This quality of style

and history of use provides a theme for renovation and the future

enhancements to the park to recreate the vision of a family oriented

park retreat for the citizens of Tacoma.

Increase safety in the park

Many of the parks amenities are located in the center of the park

away from parking areas and roadways. This creates difficulty for

surveillance and helps lead to a sense of insecurity for park users. In

addition, over 50% of the park is covered by forested area and has

suffered from problems with illicit activities and homeless camps.

Although most of those surveyed during the design process ex-

pressed that they feel safe in the park their comments were often

followed by, except after dark.

It will be important to incorporate the concepts of Crime Prevention

Through Environmental Design, (CPTED). Activities need to be

located in open areas to increase visibility. Pathways need to be

improved to include clearing of understory vegetation and upgrading

surfaces to encourage public use into the more remote areas of the

park. Lighting of the park can also serve as a deterrent to inappropri-

ate activities and encourage the expanded use of the park.

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

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Maintain the parks histor ical assets

The park is an eclectic mix of design styles

from the years of expansion and added

improvements. However, the overriding

character of the park is still shaped by the

facilities constructed in the 1930s as part of

the WPA. Including the bathhouse, shelter,

and stone bridge, these assets provide an

architectural vocabulary for future improve-

ments while providing the community a sense

of continuity and place. The historical charm

and character of the park needs to be re-

tained, enhanced, and interpreted for its

educational and cultural significance to the

community.

Protect the natural setting

With its 34 acre lake, wooded hillsides, and

wetlands, Wapato Park is an important urban

greenspace within the city limits of Tacoma.

Many large trees exist throughout the park

and need to be inventoried and incorporated

into a broader forest management plan. In

addition, the lake and surrounding wetlandsserve as a stormwater detention basin for the

surrounding urban areas. Although this brings

challenges of its own for dealing with issues

of pollution and sedimentation impacts on the

lake this natural characteristic provides good

opportunities for education and interpretation.

Improve the quality of and access to the lake

As a recreational amenity the lake provides a unique close-to-homeopportunity for the community. Improvement of the water quality and

overall health of this lake is vital to the future success of the park as

a signature park for the community. Although much of the current

condition of the lake can be attributed to the natural process of

eutrophication, (the slow ageing process during which a lake evolves

into a bog or marsh and eventually disappears), it will be necessary

for Metro Parks to look at significant steps to control this process.

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WAPATOPARKMASTERPLANMETROPARKSTACOMASEPTEMBER2005

Stone Bridge 2005

EXECUTIV

ESUMMARY

Stone Bridge 1953courtesy of Tacoma Public Library NW Room

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Provide for community events

As part of the signature park designation and in response to the

communitys expressed desire for more community events, improve-

ments are proposed to better accommodate this use. With enhanced

utility infrastructure, placement of future amenities, and utilization of

the open lawn areas, the park will become an attractive location for

community events and activities.

Incorporate sustainable design into park operations and man-

agement

Sustainability and environmental responsibility have become an

expected practice in design, management, and operations of parks

and park facilities. Future improvements at Wapato Park will be

approached with the goal of incorporating sustainable measures to

reduce maintenance, improve operations, reduce costs, and contrib-

ute to the environmental and economic

stewardship of the community as a whole.

EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

Rhododendron Garden 2005

Bathhouse 2005