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Looking Ahead to the New Year!

Many people remember key years in their life for both good and bad reasons, and it’s doubtful that any of us will be forgetting 2020 any time soon.

While most look forward to leaving 2020 (and COVID-19) in the rear view, I am grateful that I can look back on 2020 with pride as well. The Pierce County Parks team is an amazing group of people who never stopped serving you despite the challenges we faced together. When the stay home-stay local order hit, we responded with strategies to deal with escalating use of our trail system and how to keep children off playgrounds designed to inspire them to climb! When special events were cancelled, we produced take-it, make-it opportunities, like Come Fly a Kite. An envisioned Harvest Festival turned into Haunted Headlights at Frontier Park. Our Specialized Recreation Facebook Page became our own version of The Talk. Just like you, we had to sit down and ask, what is safe? what is right? what is possible? And most of all, how do we continue to live, breathe, celebrate, connect and thrive in such a time as this?

Parks had to do more with less, as we braced for reduced revenues and redeployed staff to help with COVID-19, wildfire and other emergencies, yet somehow we managed to meet you when we could, where we could so that Pierce County could continue to be a welcoming and adventurous place that allows us to pause to relax and play, every day.

“We may not be able to control tomorrow, but we can choose to enjoy what we have and those who share the journey with us, today.”

North Lake Tapps Park received an amazing facelift in 2020 and we opened Stan and Joan Cross Park, the first in Frederickson this year as well. As we look into 2021, we will incrementally and safely move forward restoring programs and events, and imaging innovative ones as well. While the design may change – with small groups, outdoor and virtual options leading the way – the passion and pride we put into serving our community won’t.

Through gracious public support, our capital program has remained on track and we’ll be starting construction at Sprinker Recreation Center and on the Pipeline and Parkland Trails next year. Be sure to check out all of our Projects and Plans (www.piercecountywa. gov/ParksProjects), enjoy your Pierce County parks and trails (check out our new trails series on-line as well!), and stay safe, healthy, positive and connected. We may not be able to control tomorrow, but we can choose to enjoy what we have and those who share the journey with us, today. Our main Pierce County Parks headquarters is now at the Environmental Services Building at Chambers Creek Regional Park and we’d love to hear from you.

Best wishes, Roxanne Miles, Director Pierce County Parks

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