Parks Annual Report 2021

ABOUT PIERCE COUNTY PARKS

Pierce County Parks maintains over 5,200 acres of open space and parkland at 50 park sites, including three recreation centers, a sports complex, ice rink, skateboard park, boat launch sites, golf courses, trail corridors, and a large number of passive open natural areas through Pierce County’s Conservation Futures system.

A variety of special events, programs, and activities for all ages and ability levels are offered throughout Pierce County.

Our Mission: To be a leader in creating liveable communities by providing opportunities for people to connect to nature, live healthy lifestyles, enjoy vibrant community spaces and learn about sustainable practices.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Unprecedented. Outstanding. Memorable.

There are many words that come to mind when we think about 2021.

2021 marked the highest level of parks and trail use in the history of the department. Granted, we only got the tools to count this measure well a few years ago, but it is evident that the need to be outdoors has never been greater. Chambers Creek Regional Park, Foothills National Recreation Trail and Nathan Chapman Trail provided much needed respite as we hosted over 3.5 million visits to our park system while risks and restrictions related to COVID-19 lingered on.

Parks also had an unprecedented $22M in the 2020-2021 budget for capital construction projects, and are advancing even more park and trail projects, making a $50M investment into new and existing facilities in 2022-2023. Renovations at North Lake Tapps Park and the opening of the award-winning Cross Park in Frederickson are just two examples of the type of improvements to expect. We know that residents love parks and trails and we aim to keep making our best, better – with even more opportunities closer to your home.

Why do parks matter? Just 20 minutes outside each day lowers stress and improves health *. These benefits aren’t just physical, they are emotional and social as well. More than half of all adults indicate they receive mental health benefits from socializing with friend s and family, spending time in nature, and exercising. Taking classes or learning something new; relaxing through meditation, walking and viewing nature; volunteering in the community; and attending or participating in arts and cultural programs are beneficial to all ages. Local trails are a great wa y to stay active, unwind, and get to and fro without relying on a car. Nearly every adult can look back at a summertime activity, tradition or important childhood memory that involved parks and recreation. Going to the beach or lake, the park or the playground, going to summer camp, hiking or playing sports today sparks nostalgia of the best parts of life.

Parks was honored to not only sustain, but continue to build programs for our community in 2021, such as a county-wide recreation program for persons with cognitive and developmental disabilities (Adventure Within Reach) and the Kids Need Play! Summer camp discount program - getting our community reconnected in a safe and affordable way. Ice skating, hockey, sports, events and volunteerism were all incrementally restored, providing over 600,000 participations in activities, and most important, a return to normalcy. We are grateful that we have been able to keep providing the activities, sites and services that get etched in your hearts and captured in photo albums to share with those you love and who you want to pass the legacy of opportunity and tradition to.

As I tell my staff - stay safe, healthy, positive and connected – and let us know what we can do to serve you even better.

*www.nrpa.org/publications-research

Roxanne Miles

PARK INVENTORY

Pierce County Parks manages the largest area of community park properties in the county with over 5,200 acres and over 40 miles of developed trails and walking paths. Throughout Pierce County, we provide:

■ Regional trails connecting communities.

■ Regional parks serving the entire county and that can host large special events.

■ Multi-sport complexes hosting regional tournaments.

■ Regionally significant special-use recreation facilities, such as an ice rink, equestrian arena, lakes, golf courses, and other unique offerings.

■ Preserved open spaces to explore and enjoy nature.

■ Service to unincorporated areas outside municipalities or park district areas.

Pierce County is divided into four management regions. These ar eas are designated as such for staffing and maintenance purposes, and to tailor programming services to mee t the needs of different areas of the county.

PIERCE COUNTY PARKS INVENTORY:

DEVELOPED REGIONAL PARKS Acreage Region

Chambers Creek Regional Park West Chambers Bay Golf Course 340 Chambers Creek Park 185 Chambers Creek Canyon 205

Spanaway Regional Park Central Bresemann Forest 66 Lake Spanaway Golf Course 129 Spanaway Park 89 Sprinker Recreation Center 44 Subtotal 1,058

UNDEVELOPED REGIONAL PARKS Acreage Region

Carbon River Valley Regional North Resource Conservancy

Carbon River Valley 488 Fairfax Properties 1,080 Fairfax Town Site 155 Subtotal 1,723

DEVELOPED COUNTY PARKS Acreage Region

Ashford County Park 84 South Cross Park 64 South Frontier Park 71 South Heritage Recreation Center 47 South Meridian Habitat Park 36 South North Lake Tapps Park 135 North Subtotal 437

UNDEVELOPED COUNTY PARKS Acreage Region

Orangegate Park 150 Central Plateau Park 80 North Subtotal 230

LOCAL PARKS Acreage Region

Dawson Playfield 5 Central Gonyea Playfield 12 Central Lidford Playfield 10 Central Mayfair Playfield 5 Central South Hill Community Park 40 South Subtotal 72

SPECIAL USE FACILITIES Acreage Region

Developed

Lakewood Community Center 4 West Swan Creek Park - Pioneer Way 40 Central Undeveloped

Hopp Farm 39 West Swan Creek Park - Waller Road 37 Central

Subtotal 120

RESOURCE CONSERVANCY PARKS Acreage Region Developed

Parkland Prairie Nature Preserve 8 Central Seeley Lake Park 46 West Naches Trail Preserve 38 South Undeveloped

Buckley Forestland Preserve 221 North Devils Head 94 West Hundred Acre Wood 109 South Nisqually River Interpretive Center 68 Central Rimrock Preserve 139 South South Pierce Wetland Preserve 156 Central Swan Creek Park 23 Central - Waller Road Nature Preserve Subtotal 907

LINEAR PARKS/TRAILS

Acreage Region Developed

Foothills Trail 529 North Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail 2 South Undeveloped

Half Dollar Park 4 South Pipeline Trail 4 Central Subtotal 539

UNCLASSIFIED SITES

Acreage Region Developed

Browns Point Lighthouse Parking Lot 1 West Purdy Sandspit 64 West Riverside Park 36 North Puyallup River Levee Trail 2 North Undeveloped

Clover Creek Property

0.3 Central Ellensworth Conservatory 1 Central Herron Point 0.3 West Lake Tapps Habitat 17 North Puget Creek Beach 2 West Wales Property 3 North Subtotal 126.6

CEMETERIES

Acreage Region

265th Ave. Cemetery 6 North Lake Tapps Pioneer Cemetery 1 North Old Settlers’ Cemetery 4 West Roy Cemetery 0.3 Central Subtotal 11.3

GRAND TOTAL ACREAGE 5,223.9

HIGHLIGHTS & MAJOR ACTIVITIES

CHAMBERS CREEK REGIONAL PARK

The 720-acre park, created by the Sewer Utility, wraps around Chambers Bay Golf Course and offers spectacular water and mountain views. Trails extend into the adjacent 205-acre Chambers Creek Canyon. The park includes four miles of paved trails, children’s play equipment, an off-leash dog park, picnic areas, two miles of beach, two open space meadows North and Central, two soccer fields, and a beautiful 9-acre event lawn. Parks also manages meeting and event rentals at the Environmental Services Building (ESB).

The Event Lawn, located south of the Central Meadow, was designed to host large athletic events such as cross-country and grass volleyball competitions. It is the equivalent of three full-size soccer fields and can be reserved for a variety of uses throughout the year.

Chambers Creek Regional Park and the ESB had a full schedule of County events and classes, wedding rentals, and field rentals booked. The annual Wedding Showcase in April offered the opportunity to partner with 15 local vendors and businesses to present a variety of services including venue tours, photogra phers, beverage/catering companies and wedding planner options to the community. The sold-out event was offered over a two-day period to ensure social distancing.

As restrictions lifted, attendance increased at events and camps. Chambers Creek Regional Park hosted its first 5K Color Run around the park which sold out. The Family Campout, brought back with safety measures in place, had its highest attendance yet with 250 campers camping on the Event Lawn.

The annual Kite Festival in August was postponed to 2022 and replaced with monthly “Come Fly A Kite” events from April through September. The August Demo Day saw over 1,000 people in attendance and included food trucks, the sale of kite kits, and the Pierce County Kite Flyers Association hosting demonstrations and family games.

The Fall and Winter brought three new events to Chambers Creek Regional Park as well. These included two scavenger hunts along the trail called the Spook tacular Hunt and Elf Hunt for families to hunt along the trail and complete challenges for a prize. The third event, Santa Paws, featured dog photos with Santa from a professional photographer and vendor booths.

Due to Pierce County’s “Kids Need to Play” grant, all summer camps at Chambers Creek Regional Park were sold out with waitlists. The Park also hosted local youth soccer groups with over 7,000 young athletes at the playfields in the summer and fall.

A number of cross-country championships including the Curtis High School Invitational, West Central District Championships, NWAC Championships, and the USATF Junior Olympics Championships were hosted at the site. Park staff also worked with the University of Washington Athletic Department to secure the NCAA Pac-12 Cross Country Championships, female and male athletes from 12 universities, to compete in March 2021.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Special Events

Bridal Showcase 400 Come Fly a Kite Days 1,500 Family Campout 250 Scavenger Hunts 150 Santa Paws 87

Short Term Rentals

ESB Room Rentals 23,147

Field Rentals 44,725

Park Visitors

Trail Users 1,943,582

Park Visitors 129,604

CHAMBERS BAY GOLF COURSE

Located in University Place, Chambers Bay Golf Course is one of the top public courses in the nation (#22 America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses) and the Pacific Northwest’s first course to welcome a U.S. Open Championship in 2015. Parks oversees the 340-acre links-style course and clubhouse managed by KemperSports.

The golf course saw overwhelming success in 2021, kickstarted by the return of a USGA Championship to Chambers Bay, despite the challenges of labor shortage, supply-chain abnormalities, and COVID dynamics.

Chambers Bay served as host of its third national Championship, the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball. It was also announced that Chambers Bay will next host the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, in August of 2022, being just the third municipal course to achieve this distinction along with Pebble Beach and Pinehurst. This also makes Chambers Bay the first municipal course to host all three of the original USGA Championships – the U.S. Men’s Open, and Men’s and Women’s Amateurs.

In the midst of a worldwide pandemic, golf was widely accepted as one of the few recreational activities that could be enjoyed safely. As a result, annual rounds grew by more than 20% and exceeded 40,000 for the first time. Annual green fee revenues eclipsed $5M and surpassed the prior year by a remarkable $1.3M (35%). 21% of rounds related to memberships, 21% were Washington State residents and local Pierce County residents made up an additional 13%. Only 3.5% of guests were from outside the State due to ongoing COVID travel impacts. 812 annual memberships were sold and approximately 86% of available tee times were utilized.

Despite indoor mask requirements and supply change abnormalities, merchandise revenue also increased to $24.32/round, representing an improvement of 39% and 4% compared to 2020 and 2019, respectively. Corresponding annual revenues eclipsed $1M and grew over 2020 by $426k (67%) and 2019 by $328k (45%).

Academy revenue has grown every year since its inception (2016) and this year reached $335k, surpassing the record-setting performance of 2020 by an astounding 62%. Academy instructors conducted ~1,500 individual instructional sessions, equating to ~1,000 adults (700 men, 300 women) and ~500 juniors.

Food and beverage revenues grew over prior year by $739k (71%) and matched 2019 revenues, despite the absence of $420k in catering revenue. Ala carte revenue restaurant and turnstand increased by $450k (40%) and established a new record.

COST RECOVERY: 105%

COST PER ACRE: $23,829.02

EXPENDITURES: $8,101,867

# OF ROUNDS: 43,568

LAKEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER

The Lakewood Community Center typically offers activities, progr ams, and services for local and regional residents. The center now serves as the location for the growin g Specialized Recreation program in Pierce County. The south section of the building was converted to two sets of courtrooms, jury boxes, and judge’s chambers.

The community center neighbors the 48-acre Seeley Lake Park and Trail. Popular activities in the gym included badminton, basketball rentals, Special Olympics, and fitness classes. Due to COVID-19 and hosting Superior Court, building rentals hours and revenue continued to be reduced compared to 2019.

COST RECOVERY: 23%

COST PER ACRE: $176,153.75

EXPENDITURES: $704,615

# SERVED: 1,144

Left to Right: U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Champions Kiko Coelho and Leopoldo Herrara.

LAKE SPANAWAY GOLF COURSE

The 129-acre Lake Spanaway Golf Course, with neighborhood fees, championship pedigree, was designed by the legendary A.V. Macan. Good weather, course improvements, and new marketing efforts resulted in almost 5,000 more rounds in 2021 over 2020 despite an uncertainty due to COVID regulations.

Lake Spanaway continues to be home for champions in the South Sound region. Lake Spanaway hosted the 13 th Annual WA Golf Parent-Child Championships on July 16 with 96 players competing in 48 teams, the 5 th year in a row of hosting a WA Golf Championship. Lake Spanaway along with Chambers Bay hosted the 54 th Annual Puget Sound Amateur in October which attracted 150 golfers from across the region in a two-day championship event.

SPANAWAY PARK

Towering Douglas Fir trees watch over this 89-acres of beautiful parkland adjacent to Lake Spanaway. Spanaway Park includes two beaches, a public boat launch, a fishing pier, five picnic shelters, restrooms, children’s play equipment, a 3-mile paved trail system, softball fields, basketball courts, and several thousand feet of accessible shoreline along Lake Spanaway. The public boat launch and fishing pier are heavily used with year-round fishing at the park.

In response to state mandates, the reservation processes was adjusted to allow for numerous public and private events and activities, including the Water Lantern Festival, large military and company picnics, car shows, walks, runs, and scavenger hunts. Park shelter rentals, car shows and family picnics filled the park during the busy summer months. As one of two freshwater beaches in the park system, Spanaway Park is extremely popular on hot summer days.

The holiday season kicked off with Fantasy Lights WALK event, expanded to a two-day multi-session event in 2021. Over 8,200 people bundled up, grabbed their hot chocolate, and embarked on a brisk walk to see the festive holiday light displays.

Fantasy Lights, the largest drive-through display of holiday lights in the Northwest, attracted 25,137 vehicles and over 138,289 spectators over 33 nights. A late December snowstorm caused havoc in the park which required closure of the show for five days.

2021ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Special Events

Fantasy Lights Walk 8,274

Fantasy Lights Drive 148,568

Parks Visitors - Summer (park entrance fees)

Memorial Day - Labor Day 79,885

Improvements to the course and clubhouse in 2021 included installation of new carpet in the clubhouse, completion of bathroom renovations that began in 2020, and a transition of golf course maintenance responsibilities from Pierce County Parks to KemperSports. Customer satisfaction with golf course rating has increased 24%, course maintenance im provements include irrigation repairs, and frequent green venting resulting in improved green conditions.

COST RECOVERY: 107%

COST PER ACRE: $13,809.05

EXPENDITURES: $1,781,368

# OF ROUNDS: 48,706

COST RECOVERY: 77%

COST PER ACRE: $10,657.09

EXPENDITURES: $948,481

# SERVED: 238,860

Sprinker Recreation Center is a regional 74,100-square foot indoor and outdoor sports complex that includes a National Hockey League regulation-size ice skating arena, four indoor tennis courts, and several meeting and banquet rooms. The outdoor facilities include six outdoor tennis courts, two basketball courts, eight lighted softball/ baseball fields, children’s play equipment, climbing rock, a massive skate park, and entrance to the walking trails in the adjacent 66-acre Bresemann Forest.

Sprinker hosts a variety of regional sporting events including figure skating, ice hockey, softball, baseball, tennis, climbing, and cyclo-cross events hosted by local partners and athletic organizations. Meeting rooms are rented for meetings, receptions, birthday parties, and leisure classes.

There was a solid spring and fall slowpitch program with 50 teams participating in each season. Pierce County Parks continues to be a leader in the sports community as we have been able to adjust and provide programming through all stages of the pandemic.

Parks continued the relationship with the Greater Seattle Hockey League and were able to run one league with of 740 skaters during the first three quarters of the year. Fall brought change to the ice community with the transformation of the Greater Seattle Hockey League into the Kraken Hockey League growth due to the expansion and excitement around all things Kraken Hockey. We are excited to be part of the growth of this amazing sport and look forward to many partnership opportunities in the future.

There’s something about watching young athletes compete on the world stage at the Olympics! Every four years we see a significant increase in skate and lesson attendance. 2021 saw record numbers of skaters on the ice and many public inquiries about lessons and training. Our figure skating staff worked diligently to provide a safe learning environment. Safety precautions and adjustments to operations

were a constant in 2021 with great response from skaters who noticed the attention to their safety.

Ice bumper cars continue to be extremely popular. Over 7,900 people got to experience this amazing on-ice experience. Public interest in ice bumper cars was documented by long waitlist and constant phone inquiries.

Additional grant funding made it possible to increase and expand programming for Pierce Outdoor Life. Staff worked with youths in the Franklin Pierce School District as well as partnering with community groups to provide Pierce Summer LIFE. However, attendance numbers did not reflect to the time, energy, and effort given to the program as COVID mandates hindered some of the programming opportunities.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Sports Camps

Youth 950 Leisure Classes

Adult 360 Youth 2,212

Sports Programs

Public Ice Skating 12,440

Ice Bumper Cars 7,957

Hockey 6,437

Figure Skating 14,744

Skate Lessons 6,977

Broom Hockey 90 Skateboarding 5,370

Tennis 3,537 Raquetball 4,709

Summer Cool Camp 125

Special Events

Daddy Daughter Adventure Day 65 Skating Exhibitions 337 Birthday Parties 790

Pierce Outdoor LIFE 81

Touch A Truck 3,000

Classic Car Show 400

Short Term Rentals

Field Rentals 52,290

Room/Facility Rentals 12,146

Parks Visitors

Sprinker Complex & Bresemann Forest 74,588

COST RECOVERY: 43%

COST PER ACRE: $48,300

EXPENDITURES: $2,125,200

# SERVED: 241,630

CROSS PARK & NACHES TRAIL PRESERVE

Pierce County’s newest park and community center celebrated its Grand Opening in July 2021. Stan and Joan Cross Park is a 64-acre site in the Frederickson area and lies in the heart of the County’s urban growth area between 176 th Street East and Military Road East. As part of Phase 1 of the park’s Master Plan, the northern 4-acres of the site have been developed to provide the community with green space, historic barns refurbished into a state-of-the-art community center, indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, and nearby walking trails.

The accessible playground has been a popular addition to the area, bringing hundreds of children and their families to the park weekly. The popularity of the site extends to the beautiful Hay Barn event room, which has been rented for special events every weekend since the building opened.

The adjacent Naches Trail Preserve offers a quartermile walking trail with a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier. There are no pets allowed in this sensitive habitat area, home to a treasure trove of different bird varieties, including the American Goldfinch (state bird of Washington), Red-Winged blackbirds, herons, hawks, and many others.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Leisure Classes

Adult 257 Youth/Eco Camp 6

Parks Visitors Trail Users 31,277 Park Users 65,762

COST RECOVERY: 19%

COST PER ACRE: $3,988.41 EXPENDITURES: $255,898 # SERVED: 69,029

NATHAN CHAPMAN MEMORIAL TRAIL & SOUTH HILL COMMUNITY PARK

The 1.6-mile Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail connects Heritage Recreation Center to South Hill Community Park. Trail usage in 2021 continues to outpace pre-pandemic usage by a 360% increase over 2019. Though the No Sun Fun Run went hybrid (virtual or in-person) at the beginning of 2021, activities were transitioning back to more traditional offerings, and the trail hosted the Santa Sleigh 5K and the Sweetheart Stroll.

South Hill Community Park is a neighborhood park with a playground, restroom, and multipurpose field. An important lighting project was completed in 2021 to provide light to the parking lot and around the

playground. In 2021, South Hill Community Park began to host youth sports classes for the first time. A modest start, over 80 youth, participated in the inaugural offering.

Parks is proud to increase the number of opportunities for people of all ages to participate in outdoor recrea tion during uncertain times.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Parks Visitors

Trail Users 458,191 Park Users 111,779

Heritage Recreation Center is a popular tournamentlevel sports complex located in the South Hill commu nity between Rogers High School and Zeiger Elemen tary School in Puyallup and offers baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, ultimate frisbee, and multipur pose fields.

The 47-acre park is the result of a successful partner ship between the Puyallup School District, which owns the land, and Pierce County which developed, operates, and maintains the facilities. The complex includes a lighted baseball field with a synthetic infield, four lighted softball fields, five soccer fields, one multipurpose synthetic turf field, a children’s play area, and nearly 500 parking spaces available for major special events and tournaments. It hosts activities offered by the Puyallup School District, Pierce County Parks, and community partners.

Heritage Recreation Center continues to be one of the most popular sports venues in the South Puget Sound area. 2021 was a year of reintroducing programming to the Adult Sports community. Providing solid Spring and Fall Slowpitch programs, there were 50 teams participating in each season. Parks continues to be a leader in the sports community, adjusting programming through all stages of the pandemic.

Heritage was home to the best-attended sports camps in the summer of 2021 due to Pierce County’s “Kids Need to Play” grant. Titans FC Soccer ran 6 weeks of camps at Heritage with 373 participants. Challenger

International Sports and Skyhawks Sports Academy partnered with Parks to offer instructional classes and camps for nearly 400 youth in 2021.

Behind the scenes, 2021 saw improvement projects move forward for multiple aspects of care. Hundreds of irrigation heads were adjusted to equal height, infield renovations of the ball fields were completed, including adding additional infield mix, and all the soccer goals and backstop nets were reconditioned.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Camp Programs

Soccer 42

Sports Leagues

Adult Slowpitch 15,000

Special Events

No Sun Fun Run 200

Short Term Rentals

Field Rentals 24,420

Park Visitors

Park Users 175,080

COST RECOVERY: 60%

COST PER ACRE: $12,994.36

EXPENDITURES: $610,735

# SERVED: 288,672

MERIDIAN HABITAT PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER

Meridian Habitat Park and Community Center is a 36acre site including a 15,500-square foot community center with a large meeting space suitable for hosting events and activities. The site also includes an outdoor amphitheater, event lawn, a nature-themed play ground, restroom, an off-leash dog park, wetlands, and a variety of wildlife habitats.

This unique park is a natural oasis in the middle of South Hill Puyallup. Meridian Habitat Park hosts events including car shows, family reunions, weddings, leisure classes, dances, corporate parties, and specialized recreation clubs and programs. The outdoor amphi theater accommodates activities such as family movies and concerts.

In this year of transition, 2021 saw the triumphant return of Movie in the Park. Over 170 people attended to watch Frozen at the outdoor amphitheater. Guests to this event were thrilled when princesses came out before the movie to interact with children and provide a photo opportunity.

Meridian Habitat Park is the host site for the Washington Trails Association’s (WTA) Gear Lending Library. This partnership between Parks and the WTA is an extension of the WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training program and will equip enthusiastic leaders with the tools they need to engage local youth and families in outdoor opportunities and experiences.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Leisure Classes

Adult 287 Youth 120

Special Events

Movie in the Park 170 Dances/Parties 580

Short Term Rentals

Room/Facility 5,004

Parks Visitors Park Users 75,599

COST RECOVERY: 10%

COST PER ACRE: $13,003

EXPENDITURES: $468,129

# SERVED: 94,882

FRONTIER PARK

This beautifully forested historical site is located in the heart of the Graham community. Frontier Park hosts many events and activities, including the Pierce County Fair, Little Wheels Quarter Midget Racing Association, 4-H events, and the Tacoma Highland Games. As its name implies, it is a rustic park with unique features, such as an equestrian arena with stables, accessible playground, barns, and outbuildings.

In 2021, the equestrian arena began a multi-phase renovation project. Various rental facilities are also available at the park, including the Lodge, livestock barns, horse arena, and picnic shelters. It is a popular site for a variety of events, celebrations, and community gatherings. Successful shopping events throughout the year include the Barn Yard Sale in the spring, the Pierce County Fair in the summer, and the Holiday Market in the winter. The newest addition to Frontier Park, the Holiday Market debuted November 2021 with nearly 1,400 shoppers visiting a multitude of vendors as well as raffle prizes and complimentary holiday photos.

New events include brand-new Superhero Challenge and Haunted Headlights. This “spooktacular” drivethrough experience provided a family-friendly way to experience Halloween for over 7,000 visitors.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Special Events

Dances/Parties/Special Programs 260 Holiday Market 1,400 Haunted Headlights 7,018

Short Term Rentals

Field/Arena 290 Rooms 3,879 Picnic Shelters 2,052

Long Term Rentals

Pierce County Fair 18,500 Quarter Midget Track 700

Parks Visitors Park Users 51,031

COST RECOVERY: 18% COST PER ACRE: $8,865.01

EXPENDITURES: $629,416

# SERVED: 99,648

ASHFORD COUNTY PARK

Ashford County Park is located in the beautiful upper Nisqually Valley in the town of Ashford, just outside the Nisqually entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. The 84-acre park opened in 2010 and features an accessible children’s play area, restrooms, 2.5 miles of paved trails, an open lawn, and parking.

The park’s centerpiece is a 55,000 square-foot out door amphitheater that serves as a venue for concerts and community events. The natural beauty of this site makes it a hidden gem in the Pierce County Parks system.

Park and trail use remained steady throughout the year. The lower trail remained active for families and individual walkers, even as the upper trail awaits repairs from the massive storm in 2020. The lower trail provides visual guides to native flora as it encircles the wetland and crosses over peaceful streams. Those who approach the upper trail from the east side will be rewarded with a peaceful picnic area surrounded by trees and the sounds of nature.

Ashford Park hosted several events in 2021, including the Ashford Music Festival, Mountain to Sound bike event, and the new Ashford Elf Hunt.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Parks Visitors

Park Users 36,681

Trail Users 6.530

COST RECOVERY: 8%

COST PER ACRE: $795.07

EXPENDITURES: $66,786

# SERVED: 58,740

NORTH LAKE TAPPS PARK

As Pierce County’s most popular freshwater park, 135 acres with 10,000 feet of waterfront access with spec tacular views of Mount Rainier, North Lake Tapps Park is the destination for recreational boaters, fisherman, and families and individuals interested in sunbathing, picnicking, swimming, walking, and bird watching. The site has three miles of trails through the forest and along the shoreline and one of two public boat launch es on the lake open April-October each year.

The lake is home to tiger musky, small mouth bass, carp, yellow perch, and rainbow trout. The lake and forest also attract birds of prey, however, some wild life present challenges. Gaggles of geese had created significant maintenance issues for staff prior to 2021 with copious amounts of droppings. Crews installed a geese deterrent at the end of the peninsula. This mounted device runs a green light at high speeds in random patterns throughout the park. The light is not harmful to any animals or people and is not visible in daylight hours. Since the installation of the device, staff has seen a nearly 100% decrease in goose droppings throughout the park which has freed maintenance staff to work on other projects.

Parks safety and education are critical elements of operating North Lake Tapps Park because of the cold, glacial run-off water and environmental elements. Parks has continued collaborative efforts with East Pierce Fire and Rescue to host summer Water Safety education events to teach families about the impor tance of cold-water safety and maintain a life jacket loaner program out of a self-serve kiosk near the boat launch. Parks also worked closely with Pierce County Sheriffs Department to manage traffic and guest safety in the park late Spring to early Fall.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Parks Visitors - Summer (park entrance fees)

Memorial Day-Labor Day 57,768

COST RECOVERY: 50%

COST PER ACRE: $2,796.01

EXPENDITURES: $377,461

# SERVED: 85,617

FOOTHILLS TRAIL

The Foothills Trail was constructed along a historic railroad bed and winds through rural landscapes and towns southeast of Tacoma. The 21-mile trail starts at East Puyallup, goes through Orting and South Prairie, and ends at Buckley. It is a 12-foot-wide asphalt trail and is designed for foot traffic and human-powered vehicles, with a soft shoulder path for equestrian use.

To ensure the safety and enjoyment by trail users, Parks completed roughly 476 linear feet of asphalt repairs in six key areas near South Prairie in 2021. The work involved tree removal and root cutting adjacent to the trail where asphalt damage from “root lift” occurred and the installation root barrier to minimize future damage. Crews also replaced a culvert just north of the Orting Foothills Trail section to support more efficient water flow away from private landowners’ properties.

2021 ACTIVITY NUMBERS:

Special Events

Foothills Dash 5K & 10K 174

Run the Fun Series 5Ks 179 Pierce County Trails Day 25

Permitted Special Events

Runs, Walks, Bike Rides (21 events) 2,500

B&O Half Marathon 234 Rainier to Ruston Relay 508

Parks Visitors

Trail Users 930,176

COST RECOVERY: 13%

COST PER ACRE: $746.78

Pierce County is studying the feasibility of a future trail that would connect the Foothills Trail near South Prairie into the Cascade Foothills and the towns of Wilkeson and Carbonado. Scan the QR code or visit our project website at www.piercecountywa.gov/7509/Foothills-Trail-Exten sion-Feasibility to learn more about the project.

The trail is also popular with race organizers who plan multimodal events along the trail. While COVID continued to create obstacles for certain scheduled events throughout 2021, Parks staff worked diligently with providers to create opportunities for fun, engaging, and safe events. Foothills Trail hosted 21 runs/races and was also able to continue offering our annual Pierce County Trail Day activities which is hosted each July.

EXPENDITURES: $395,047

# SERVED: 933,680

Trail Visitor Counts by Location (*Counts are based on a single collection point in strategic locations along the Foothills Trail. The counting devises do not adjust for possible duplicate records as individuals travels back and forth from their destination, and therefore may be double counted in certain circumstances.)

Buckley Section Count

• Total 82,709

• Daily Average 227

• Peak 1,220

Crocker Section Count

• Total 155,955

• Daily Average 427

• Peak 2,186

East Puyallup (East)

• Total 137,321

• Daily Average 411

• Peak 1,885

East Puyallup (West)

• Total 80,102

• Daily Average 219

• Peak 1,185

McMillin (East)

• Total 103,830

• Daily Average 284

• Peak 1,004

McMillin (West)

• Total 163,284

• Daily Average 447

• Peak 3,241

South Prairie (East)

• Total 82,966

• Daily Average 306

• Peak 3,856

South Prairie (West)

• Total 117,289

• Daily Average 321

• Peak 3,239

RECREATION SERVICES

We design our programs to be inclusive and serve a variety of ages, interests, and abilities. As the communities we serve cautiously resume social events, athletics, and gatherings, Pierce County Parks is ready to serve.

As we did throughout the pandemic, our staff, programming, and parks remain highly vigilant about providing safe environments for people to recreate. In 2021 we resumed programming in our six major areas:

■ Adult and youth sports/recreation

■ Special events

■ Ice skating activities

■ Golf

■ Specialized recreation programs

■ Volunteerism

These activities, along with our popular special events, are examples of how we’ve inspired so many to get back outside, connect with friends and families at our facilities, and safely return to recreation activities.

ADULT SPORTS AND RECREATION

2021 was a year of reintroducing programming to our Adult Sports community. We had a solid Spring and Fall Slowpitch program with 50 teams participating in each season. Parks continues to be a leader in the sports community as we have been able to adjust and provide programming through all stages of the pandemic. Stick N Puck attendance was consistent with previous years, even with a pause in programming, due to the new Ice Lights event in December at Sprinker Recreation Center.

We continued our relationship in 2021 with the Greater Seattle Hockey League (GSHL). We were able to run one league with 740 skaters from January through September. Fall brought change to the hockey community with the puck drop at the Climate Pledge arena. GSHL transformed into the Kraken Hockey League which will spur growth due to the expansion and excitement about Kraken Hockey. We are excited to be part of the growth of this amazing sport in our region and look forward to many future partnership opportunities.

Getting healthy, creating happiness, and building stronger communities are at the heart of every recreation program and event.

YOUTH SPORTS AND RECREATION

Early introduction to sports promotes sportsmanship, builds a healthy, active lifestyle, and develops youth athletic talent for competitive advancement. Parks continuously adapted to the state’s changing guidelines for recreational activities to ensure the safety of the players.

In 2021, the Kids Need Play grant helped nearly 800 youth return to our athletic fields to be involved in various sports camps offered by Titans FC, Challenger International Sports, and Skyhawks Sports Academy, at Heritage Recreation Center in Puyallup. Titans FC Soccer ran six weeks of camps at Heritage Recreation Center with 373 players. Challenger International Sports and Skyhawks Sports Academy partnered with Parks and offered instructional classes and camps for nearly 400 youth.

ICE ARENA ACTIVITIES

GOLF

Golf activities offered at Lake Spanaway and Chambers Bay Golf Courses make golf a notable program area. In addition to the recreational play, the courses provide lessons, driving range and academy options, tournaments, and junior golf programs. Both courses continued to see a record number of rounds played in 2021. Chambers Bay reported 43,897 rounds played and Lake Spanaway Golf Course reported 48,706 rounds played.

Figure Skating, Stick N Puck, and Learn to Skate were offered with strict safety measures in place for staff and users. With the buzz surrounding Kraken hockey as well as the upcoming Olympic Games, attendance numbers on ice skyrocketed in the third and fourth quarters. Our fantastic ice professionals put on multiple events in 2021 which included: Holiday Ice Exhibitions in February and December, ISI Spring Fever Competition in April, May Blades Competition in May, Summer Cool Camp in August, and ISI BooBash in Oc tober.

Thanks to our amazing staff we were able to present Ice Lights to the public in December. This new event provided thousands of twinkling and flashing lights, animated displays, artificial falling snow, and an 18 ft singing tree in the middle of the rink. Due to the innovative design, fun offerings, and great marketing campaign, this event brought over 15,000 to the rink in December at Sprinker Recreation Center.

Attendance for 2021 ice activities: Public Skate 12,440, Freestyle 14,744, Learn to Skate 6,977, Ice Shows and Exhibitions 1,100, Hockey Lessons 2,564, Stick N Puck 2,373, Adult Hockey League 740, Youth Hockey League 760, Private rentals 190, Birthday Parties 790, Ice Bumper Cars 7,957 and our new event Ice Lights 15,549.

This past year was record-setting in more ways than one. Our own Janice Teodoro-Forbes was elected as the first-ever female president of the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) nonprofit organization for owners, operators, and developers of ice skating facilities. ISI is an association that has introduced more than ten million individuals to the world of ice skating. Congratulations Janice!

SPECIALIZED RECREATION PROGRAMS & PARTNERSHIPS

The Specialized Recreation-Adventure Within Reach offers a variety of activities for participants of all ages and abilities in Pierce County. The program was very successful in 2021. We served 6,687 participants, including virtual programs offered through the U.S., representing over 12,064 program hours. Programs that were offered included social groups, virtual classes, special events, art, fitness classes, and Special Olympics.

One of the most popular events hosted in 2021 was dinner and a movie. Adult participants would meet at the South Hill Mall, dine at the Golden Corral, and catch a movie at the local theater. These events are a great way for our population to practice socializing in a social situation without their families. Many had never had the opportunity to select what they want for dinner or order for themselves.

In 2021, Specialized Recreation started a Special Olympics program featuring golf in the summer, bowling in the fall, and basketball in the winter. There were many challenges as program staff navigated COVID requirements and Special Olympics rules.

We were very excited when the Cities of Puyallup, Sumner, and Lakewood joined as partners in October and November to expand Specialized Recreation-Adventure Within Reac h locations for 2022.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Although the pandemic continued to create barriers for long-serving volunteers, there were many needs and opportunities that community members took to the parks to fulfill. In 2021, volunteers provided 4,873 hours of service to Parks by helping with a variety of activities including special events and programs, performing park beautification projects, volunteering as youth sports coaches and golf course marshals, and serving on two advisory boards.

This year, Parks recognized individual and group volun teers at the Pierce County Volunteer Recognition Social which will be held at the McGavick Conference Center in May 2022.

The following individuals and group were recognized for their outstanding volunteer service to Pierce County in 2021:

■ Rachael Anderson and Larry Dorothy – Volunteer of the Year

■ Cindy Manson, Darleen Price, Rachel Gatlin, and Rob Allen – Special Service

■ Ehrengard Ward – Special Achievement

■ Sharon Fisk and Kimberly Arnold – Silver Service

■ Pierce County 4-H Horse Board – Volunteer Group of the Year

SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

■ Between the January No Sun Fun Run at Heritage Recreation Center and the Foothills Dash on the Foothills Trail in March, almost 300 runners attempt ed to achieve their personal best on the trails.

■ More than 400 people and a dozen vendors attend ed the 2021 Wedding Showcase on April 3-4 at the Environmental Services Building at Chambers Creek Regional Park.

■ Due to the mandates in place in February the annual “Daddy Daughter Dance” at Sprinker Recreation Center was cancelled. The recreation staff then pivoted to put together a new fun event, Daddy Daughter Adventure Day on June 5. Over 55 participants enjoyed a variety of indoor and outdoor activities at Sprinker Recreation Center and Brese mann Forest plus ice cream!

■ The May Blades regional ice competition attracted 90 participants to Sprinker Recreation Center.

■ Pierce County’s Trail Day in July at the Foothills Trail attracted 50 participants. Parks partnered with ForeverGreen Trails to provide a safe and fun event during the initial COVID restrictions.

■ Ice Bumper Cars attracted 7,957 riders and a long waitlist due to media attention and the resulting popularity of this attraction.

■ The Water Lantern Festival was downsized in order to stay consistent with state mandates and had 2,133 in attendance.

■ The Annual Family Campout at Chambers Creek Regional Park returned in 2021. The sold out event was held on the new event lawn and hosted 250 people. Families enjoyed lawn games, Bricks 4 Kidz tent, an outdoor movie, hot dog dinner by Boss Ma ma’s Kitchen, S’mores, and a continental breakfast.

■ Run the Fun 5K Series was new to Parks this year. It featured five different races throughout the year at different trail locations (two races were virtual only). The races offered a photo booth, lawn games, coffee, healthy snacks, and music. The new Color Run at Chambers Creek Regional Park brought in the largest attendance of 200 runners.

■ We saw a great turnout of 144 campers for our Summer Camps at Chambers Creek Regional Park in 2021 (Steel Soccer Camp and Summer Science SeaCamp). Discounts were offered for registration fees through the “Kids Need to Play” grant.

■ The Pierce County Fair roared back to life at Frontier Park with in-person attendance in August at 18,500, nearly matching 2019 figures. It was an amazing feat, with many not realizing the fair was back in person and battling record heat.

■ 585 young people explored park sites at Ashford Park, Frontier Park, Bresemann Forest, and Naches Trail Preserve using the Agents of Discovery interac tive app to complete missions while learning science, biology, and environmental stewardship.

■ In lieu of a 2-day Kite Festival, Chambers Creek Regional Park hosted six “Come Fly a Kite” days as a local, neighborhood-focused activity April–Septem ber. We saw a total of 1,500 participants throughout the series.

■ Chambers Creek Regional Park playfields were permitted to two different local youth soccer groups from July–October 2021. Combined attendance for the two seasons totaled over 29,000 participants.

■ More than 3,000 children and family members explored 25 different trucks and vehicles at the 13th annual Touch A Truck free event held at Sprinker Recreation Center on September 11.

■ The 18th annual Classic Car and Truck Show was held at Sprinker Recreation Center on September 18. Weather forecasts and social distancing measures required staff reconfigure the production of the event. 400 people attended and showed cars.

■ A Spooktacular Hunt was held along Grandview Drive at Chambers Creek Regional Park. There were 150 participants over the span of two weeks who received a goody bag.

■ October 27-30, over 1,900 cars and more than 7,000 visitors came to Haunted Headlights, a four-night drive-through event at Frontier Park.

■ Nearly 400 “Hunters” explored several of our South Region parks and trails throughout the year in order to find elves, turkeys, and leprechauns, to turn them in for a goody bag.

■ 183 parents and children attended the annual Daddy Daughter Dance in November.

■ A Holiday Market was offered for the first time at Frontier Park and attracted 1,400 participants.

■ The Elf Hunt was a new event at Chambers Creek Regional Park. Over 150 participants searched the North Meadow for elves in exchange for a hot cocoa and a goody bag.

■ Santa Paws saw 87 dogs and their owners signed up for this new Christmas dog event at Chambers Creek Regional Park. The event featured 8 vendors includ ing a professional photographer who took photos of the dogs with Santa Claus.

■ The two-night, multi-session Fantasy Lights Walk hosted over 8,200 walkers November 20-21 at Spanaway Park.

■ Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park drive-through event attracted over 138,289 spectators in 25,137 vehicles for 33 nights. (note: the event was closed for 5 days due to snow, ice, and freezing temperatures)

■ Ice Lights the NEW magical light experience at Sprinker Recreation Center attracted 15,549 skaters in December.

CONSERVATION FUTURES

The Conservation Futures program preserves open space, wetlands, wildlife habitat, timber land, and agricultural lands to benefit Pierce County residents now and in the future. The program, established in 1991, strives to ensure a high quality of life as Pierce County experiences growth in population and development. Learn more at www.piercecountywa.gov/cfutures .

The Conservation Futures Program completed four project purchases, totaling 46 acres, from the 2019 grant cycle adopted selection list including:

■ Rocky Creek Estuary for Great Peninsula Conservancy

■ Wards Lake Park Expansion for City of Lakewood

■ Salmon Creek Park for City of Sumner

■ South Prairie Creek for Forterra

The Pierce County Council also authorized the purchase of seven new conservation projects in 2021. Three of the projects are located in Gig Harbor and the remaining four projects are located in Key Peninsula, Puyallup, Parkland and Tacoma. Project Sponsors include the cities of Gig Harbor, Puyallup and Tacoma, PenMet Parks District, Great Peninsula Conservancy, and Forterra. In 2022, it is anticipated that 12 projects totalling 572 acres selected during 2019 and 2021 may be conserved. A total of 6,223 acres have been preserved through this program.

NATURAL LANDS PROGRAM

The Natural Lands program provides stewardship to natural areas, such as Resource Conservancy parks and undeveloped open space, within Pierce County Parks and Pierce County forested areas. It focuses on assessing and improving natural areas for passive recreation and connecting the public with nature. This includes trail design and construction, habitat restoration, and vegetation management for public safety. The program is in the Parks Resource Stewardship Division and consists of a Natural Lands Steward and a Park Specialist. The program is supported by the Washington Conservation Corps, Washington Service Corps, volunteers, and non-profit partners.

■ Orangegate Park: Trail building and restoration work began in 2021 in partnership with the Washington Trails Association and will continue for several years as the park develops.

■ Seeley Lake: In a partnership with the City of Lakewood, numerous improvements are occurring at this urban natural area including trail renovations, hazard tree removal, extensive invasive species control and habitat restoration throughout. In 2022, changes will be made to parking and signage.

■ Spanaway Regional Park - Bresemann Forest: Completion of trail improvements, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and signage.

■ Invasive Control: Control of Bohemian knotweed, yellowflag iris, and purple loosestrife within seven stream systems in Park properties located throughout the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed.

■ Earth Day South Sound partnerships: The Parks Department provided 1,040 free trees and hundreds of native flower seed packets to Pierce County residents through a year-long partnership in celebration of Earth Day.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

ADA Improvements Project:

■ 79 ADA improvements were completed throughout the park system in 2021.

ADA Transition Plan:

■ ADA Transition Plan was drafted identifying funding and timelines for completion of ADA improvements identified in the 2018 ADA Audit, with approval antic ipated in early 2022. Construction will be underway from 2021-2028.

Chambers Creek Regional Park:

■ Chambers Creek Canyon Trail: Design of trail extension from Kobayashi Park was completed in 2021, including a new pedestrian bridge over Chambers Creek connecting Lakewood to University Place. The design of a second phase to connect to trails on the west end of the Canyon to Kobayashi Park began in 2021.

■ Central Meadow Electrical: Electrical service extended to serve events in 2021

Dawson Playfield:

■ Construction of an expanded playground, paved walking trail, basketball court, and ballfield was completed in 2021.

Frontier Park:

■ ADA Pathways: New ADA accessible pathways to the Frontier Lodge, the restroom building, and several accessory buildings were completed in 2021. Addi tional improvements are anticipated in 2022-23.

■ Horse Arena Footings: Construction of new curbing, fencing, and a new surface in the horse arena began in late 2021 and will be complete in early 2022.

■ Water System Assessment: An assessment of the park’s water system was completed in 2021, which identifies and prioritizes required improvements.

Lidford Playfield:

■ Construction of a new playground began in late 2021 and will be complete in early 2022.

Meridian Habitat Park & Community Center

■ Building assessment: An assessment of the building and future programming needs to inform future building improvements was completed in 2021. Public outreach on the plan will occur in 2022-2023.

■ Outdoor improvements: In 2021, the design of improvements identified in the master plan began. Construction will take place in 2022-23, including parking, lighting, and security improvements. Ad ditional improvements, such as a playground entry plaza and a new picnic shelter, will be included if funds allow.

Parkland Community Trail:

■ Public outreach and design of a community trail linking all parks and schools from Pacific Lutheran University to Sprinker Recreation Center are underway, trail construction is anticipated to begin in 2022.

Pipeline Trail:

■ In 2021, public outreach and design of the Pipeline Trail from Tacoma to South Hill was underway. Phase 1 construction from Tacoma through Orangegate Park and trailhead construction at Orangegate Park is anticipated to begin in 2023.

Spanaway Regional Park:

■ Spanaway Park ADA improvements: A portion of ADA improvements to outdoor areas began in late 2021, and all of the required ADA improvements in the park will be complete in 2022.

■ Sprinker Recreation Center building and program ming study: An assessment of building and program ming needs to inform future building improvements and balance community needs with existing activities and infrastructure began in 2021. This work will continue throughout 2022.

■ Sprinker Recreation Center outdoor improvements: Public outreach and design of improvements identified in the master plan were underway in 2021. Construction of a new playground, regional spray park, event lawn, ballfield, court improvements, and entry and parking improvements will begin in 2022 and continue into 2023.

PLANNING PROGRAM

Carbon River Corridor Cooperative Action Plan:

■ Parks led an effort with agencies and major landown ers in the Carbon River corridor between Wilkeson and Mount Rainier National Park to develop an action plan for improved collaboration on projects and is sues in the corridor. Action plan adoption is anticipat ed in 2022, with implementation through 2032.

Foothills Trail Extension – Cascade Junction to Carbonado Feasibility Study:

■ In 2021, a study of routing and real estate needs to complete the Foothills Trail connection to the Town of Carbonado began with expected study completion in 2022.

Orangegate Park Master Plan Update:

■ Parks staff worked closely with the community to update and adopt the master plan. Phase 1 design will begin in 2022 with construction anticipated in 2024. Soft-surface trail improvements in the south east quadrant were completed in 2021 and work will continue in the park through 2025.

Half Dollar Park Master Plan:

■ Completed master plan working with the community in 2021. Construction of the park and Pipeline Trail trailhead is anticipated in 2025.

PLANNED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

The Planned Maintenance Program (PMP) is comprised of a highly skilled team of trades and parks maintenance professionals who work on some of the most complex and unique p rojects across the department. The team pri marily receives project guidance and direction from an approved list of qualified maintenance needs to be called the Maintenance and Asset Preservation Plan (MAPP).

Although most of the PMP’s project direction comes from the MAPP, the PMP team also collaborates with other parks maintenance staff as well as Resource Stewardship on emerg ency maintenance issues, capital projects delivery, and trades-based guidance/training.

Project funding for the program is supported in three key ways:

■ General Fund Planned Maintenance Program Budget

■ Park Sales Tax Project-Specific Resources

■ Site-Specific Parks Maintenance & Operations Budget

The key purpose of the PMP is to provide targeted project support and technical expertise on non-routine asset maintenance. The team also bridges the gap between larger, more complex projects which are supported through the Capital Development team (Resource Stewardship) and more traditional Parks Maintenance and Operations. This work ensures that parks and associated facilities are properly maintained and safe for public use.

PLANNED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

2021 MAPP & KEY PARK IMPROVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

(Central) Bresemann Forest

■ Fence repair and replacement (Central) Dawson Playfield

■ Repair skylight in bathroom

■ Repaint restroom building and covered area

■ Repair and repaint stationary park bench

■ Make necessary ADA updates inside bathroom

■ Fix damaged exterior components of restroom building

(Central) Spanaway Park Maintenance Shop

■ Interior wall build, door installation

■ Office buildout and restroom remodel (Central) Swan Creek Park - Pioneer Way

■ Parking lot grading, new gravel installation (West) Lakewood Community Center

■ Install guards on fire sprinkler heads

■ Install steel gate at entrance to lower parking lot

■ Install four bollards mid-way down lower parking lot

(West) Chambers Creek Regional Park

■ Add additional access door chase to restroom fixtures (South) Frontier Park

■ Replace all toilets in lodge building

■ Remodel kitchen

■ ADA upgrades – Install doors and automatic openers, adjust existing and install new bathroom fixtures, exterior bathroom visibility screen modification and installation.

(Central) Gonyea Park

■ Pressure wash and stripe parking lot

■ Install speed bumps in parking lot

■ ADA Upgrade - Install new locks on restroom doors

(Central) Lake Spanaway Golf Course

■ Clean driving range roof

■ Replace air station roof

■ Paint air station exterior

■ Pressure wash and stripe parking lot

■ Remove/demo existing golf course club house carpet and install new carpet

■ Remodel restroom and update all fixtures

■ Install ADA signage throughout parking lot

■ Repair damaged electrical panel and mounting system

(South) Hopp Farm

■ Install new toilet at residence (South) Meridian Habitat Park

■ Lower office design, buildout, and remodel

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The County adopted a biennial budget for the first time in 2020. The 2021 allocations of funds were generally 53% of the two-year budget. Pierce County Parks continued strategically shifting resources on the road to recovery from 2020 revenue reductions due to COVID, and it continued implementing financial approaches to return to regular spending and activity as the pandemic evolved in 2021.

Parks’ main operating fund is the General Fund, which funds a variety of key functions of the department, including parks maintenance and operations, recreation, as well as department administration (such as resource stewardship and department leadership).

Beyond the General Fund, Parks also uses Special Funds to support the specialized purposes and operations of our unique Parks systems. Chambers Creek Regional Park and Lake Spanaway Golf Course

Fund

General Fund

are enterprise funds that are meant to be site and self-sufficient. Paths and Trails Fund and Park Sales Tax resources, combined with the General Fund as well as allowable Conservation Futures funding, are used to maintain and operate the rest of the Pierce Coun ty Park system. The Conservation Futures Program funds the acquisition and preservation of natural lands for public benefit; most of the funding is distributed through a grant program to partners across Pierce County. Up to 25% of Conservation Futures funding can be used for maintenance of County-operated sites purchased with Conservation Futures funding.

The Construction Revenue (Park Impact Fees/Parks Second REET) is transferred into the Construction Fund when projects are ready to commence. The projects are prioritized and scheduled in the department’s adopted Capital Facilities Program. Here is a break down of these funding resources over this biennium:

2020-21 Biennial Budget 2020 Budget 2021 Budget Actual

$18,772,410 $7,547,053 $10,925,357 $7,865,310

Lake Spanaway Golf Course $3,882,640 $1,824,709 $2,057,931 $1,781,368

Path & Trails $1,427,900 $671,113 $756,787 $615,127

Chambers Creek Park & Golf Course $1,9450,550 $8,880,343 $10,570,207 $10,074,368

Parks Sales Tax $9,868,950 $4,422,422 $5,446,528 $4,190,473

Operating Funds

$53,402,450 $23,645,640 $29,756,810 $24,526,646

Conservation Futures $9,660,481 $4,568,198 $5,213,562 $6,383,855

Conservation Futures $9,660,481 $4,568,198 $5,213,562 $3,138,621

Parks Impact Fees (70%) $16,140,650 $6,646,150 $9,494,500 $6,781,552

Parks Second REET $10,233,163 $3,763,163 $6,470,000 $3,918,220

Construction Revenue $26,373,813 $10,409,313 $15,964,500 $10,699,772

Paths & Trails

Parks

Conservation Futures

Construction Project

$9,131,640 $2,919,640 $6,212,000 $1,935,011

$23,955,863 $7,577,923 $16,377,940 $11,339,180

$9,750,000 $1,974,000 $7,776,000 $699,877*

$42,837,503 $12,471,563 $30,365,940 $13,974,068

$51,094,714 $81,300,812 $52,338,107

Planned Carry Over

Cash

carried into 2022-23 for the 2019 round of conservation projects that were deferred to 2022 per Council authorization =

This report details how operating funds and capital funding is spent and the return on investment for our community. All public resources are leveraged to bring in additional funding to operate or improve the park system.

EXPENDITURES

Administration

It is important to note that although Parks under the budget in the 2021 General Fund and Parks and Trails Fund, this was done strategically to align with incoming funding. Parks regularly monitors incoming revenue and regularly adjusts expenditures to closely match the collection of revenues.

Observing a trend of lower revenues in 2021, the Parks reduced some operating expenses to balance as close ly as possible with projected revenues. In addition to the resources outlined in the previous table, Parks also receives additional alternative resources and contribu tions to aid in the success of the Parks system.

Total

Volunteer Hours

Not

EXPENSES AND COST RECOVERY

Regional Parks are the most expensive to operate given their size and facilities, but also have the most revenue generating potential. Golf courses, tournament facilities, rental venues, and events provide higher overall cost recovery expectations and performance.

The health of Chambers Creek Regional Park and Spanaway Regional Park (inclusive of Sprinker Recreation Center and Lake Spanaway Golf Course) strongly influences the overall resource needs of the department.

Parks has a target of 50-75% cost recovery at its regional parks, given the mix of highly individualized activities (such as golf and Fantasy Lights) which are pay-to-play, as well as a wide range of activities and park amenities that are free to access.

1806 984 1,419 4209

Park Site

Cost Recovery (Max)

Lake Spanaway Golf Course 107%

Chambers Bay Golf Course 105%

Spanaway Park 77%

Heritage Recreation Center 60%

North Lake Tapps Park 50%

Sprinker Recreation Center 43%

Lakewood Community Center 23%

Cross Park 19%

Frontier Park 18%

Foothills National Recreation Trail 13%

Chambers Creek Regional Park 12%

Meridian Habitat Park 10%

Ashford Park 8%

Local Parks 1%

PARK PERFORMANCE

Park Site

Miles Cost Per Mile

Cost Recovery (CR) Target

Actual CR Service

Foothills National Recreation Trail 21 $18,812 0-25% 13% 933,680 events and trail users

Park Site Acres

Cost Per Acre CR Target Actual CR Counts

Chambers Bay Golf Course 340 $23,829 100% 105% 40,236 rounds of golf

Chambers Creek Regional Park and Chambers Creek Canyon 390 $ 3,720 25-50% 12% 1,179,838 events, programs, and trail visitors

North Lake Tapps Park 135 $2,796 25-50% 50% 85,617 park visitors

Lake Spanaway Golf Course 129 $13,809 100% 107% 48,706 rounds of golf

Spanaway Park 89 $10,657 25-50% 77% 238,860 park visitors and Fantasy Lights admissions Heritage Recreation Center*, South Hill Community Park, and Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail 89 $5,114 25-50% 81% 858,451 sports, trails, and scheduled activities; *Cost share with Puyallup School District

Ashford Park 84 $795 0-25% 8% 58,740 park visitors

Frontier Park and Lodge 71 $8,865 25-50% 18% 99,648 program, event, and park visitors

Local Parks, Playfields and Habitat (Dawson, Gonyea, Lidford, Mayfair, Parkland Prairie, Swan Creek) 72 $1,420 0-25% 1%

Park

Maintained as an extension of Spanaway Park, requiring travel; community and partner sport use at Gonyea Playfield

Meridian Habitat Park & Center (36 acres) 15,509 $30.18 25-50% 10% 94,882 events, programs, and park visitors

Sprinker Recreation Center (44-acre sports complex and 66-acre Bresemann Forest) 74,100 $26.68 25-50% 43% 241,630 event, ice, hockey, sports, and park visitors

Lakewood Community Center (46-acre Seeley Lake 34,000 $20.72 25-50% 23% 1,114 indoor use

Average Cost Per Developed Acre $10,448.88

Total Recreation Program Users 593,867

Average Acres per Maintenance FTE ** 52.83 Total Passive Park & Trail Users 3,556,381

System-wide

**Full

72% Total Users 4,150,248