Celebrate Parking Day in Tacoma September 20
Providing temporary public open space… one parking spot at a time!
An international day of turning passive urban parking stalls into active mini-parks filled with people, plants, music, art, and games comes to downtown Tacoma on Friday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Local businesses, organizations, and residents will showcase their creativity by transforming more than 30 park(ing) spaces into interactive parklets along Pacific Ave. between S. 7th St. & S. 13th St. This international event, in its tenth year in Tacoma, calls attention to the need for more urban open space and challenges people to rethink the way they use their streets. Tacoma’s PARK(ing) Day, organized by Downtown On the Go, is sponsored by BLRB Architects and Metro Parks Tacoma.
2019 Highlights:
PARK(ing) Day Passport: Maps and passports will be available at all of the parklets. By visiting five or more parklets and turning in the completed passport, visitors will be entered into a drawing for downtown gift certificates and prize baskets.
Food Trucks: Event food trucks will be located on Pacific Ave. between S. 11th St. & S. 12th St.
People’s Choice Award: Vote for your favorite parklet at the event or online on the DOTG Facebook page. The winner of the “People’s Choice” Award will receive a $100 gift certificate to the downtown business of their choice.
For more information on Tacoma’s PARK(ing) Day visit www.downtownonthego.org
– DOTG
September 28 is next State Parks free day
No Discover Pass needed in honor of National Public Lands Day
In honor of National Public Lands Day, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to visit a state park for free on Saturday, Sept. 28. No Discover Pass will be required for day-use visits by vehicle.
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation.
State Parks free days are in keeping with 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass, which costs $30 annually or $10 for a one-day visit. The pass is required for vehicle access to state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The Discover Pass legislation directed State Parks to designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on WDFW and DNR lands.
Two more State Parks free days are available in 2019:
Monday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Friday, Nov. 29— Autumn free day
– Washington State Parks
Pierce County Trails Conference Thursday, October 17th
ForeverGreen Trails (ForeverGreen) is pleased to announce that the Annual Pierce County Trails Conference will be held on Thursday, October 17th, 2019 from 4 PM to 8:30 PM. The annual conference will be held at the Environmental Services Building, located at 9850 64th St W, University Place, WA 98467 (by Chambers Creek Regional Park). It is the premier gathering of trail users, supporters, advocates, designers, and builders in our region and this year’s theme is “Sustainability & Stewardship”.
“In addition to the expert panels covering topics such as Trail Safety & Sustainability and Youth Involvement, we are excited to have noted guidebook author Craig Romano as our keynote speaker this year,” says Larry Leveen, Project and Communications Coordinator of ForeverGreen. “Craig will be debuting his book on urban trails in and around Tacoma and will have copies of it to sign.” Trail project updates from all over the county will be shared at the conference as well as best practice trail outreach resources for municipalities and advocates. As usual, ForeverGreen will offer a pre-conference guided walk and bike ride at 2:30 PM leaving from the front of the venue. “The conference is a crucial opportunity for networking and sharing ideas and information about trail planning, construction, and promotion,” according to Jane Moore, Executive Director of ForeverGreen. “It’s relevant for anyone interested in outdoor activity and the health, mobility and economic benefits of trails.”
Conference registration costs $35 and includes dinner as well as access to a silent auction. Further event and registration details can be accessed on ForeverGreen’s website at https://www.forevergreentrails.org/pierce-county-trails-conference.
– ForeverGreen Trails
