Wednesday in the Park #2: Alderwood Park

Which Park?  Alderwood Park

Who Or What Is It Named After? As far as I can tell, Alder, a kind of wood.

Where Is It? 208 Brown's Point Blvd. Road,  Tacoma, WA 98422

Child Area? Yes

Bathroom? No, but the Library next door has one.

Amenities? Picnic Tables, Benches, Covered Area, Trails.

Overview:

It’s easy to forget that Northeast Tacoma is even part of Tacoma. Situated just across Commencement Bay, many if not most people look over there not even realizing it is still part of Tacoma. For the second park in this ongoing series we went to Alderwood Park.

At first it appears to be just a small park with a play area for the kids located right next door to Mary Rose Kobetich Library. This makes it a perfect place to take kids if you’re in the neighborhood. The play area is substantial, but this park has much more to offer.

The majority of the nearly 7 acre park is full of wooded trail that wind all around it. These are easy to follow trails that take minimal effort. In many ways it reminds me of a tiny version of the trails in Pt. Defiance Park.

Alderwood Park was created in 1980 but there were significant improvements made around 2010. While some of those improvements remain, the Wildflower Garden is now truly wild.

Lastly, just beyond the play area you'll find a small grass field big enough to play Frisbee but not big enough for soccer. As parks go, Alderwood Park has a little bit of everything. With the library right next door, this is easily one of my favorite places in Northeast Tacoma.

Photos and Content by Jack Cameron

Next Week: Alling Park