Parkland Community Trail officially opens with celebration

Pierce County residents are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the new Parkland Community Trail this Saturday, September 19. The event, hosted by Pierce County Parks and Recreation, will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the trail's trailhead at Tule Lake Road S.

The celebration promises fun for all ages, featuring a free bike helmet giveaway sponsored by Pierce County Planning and Public Works (PPW), complimentary trees for attendees to beautify their yards, and a guided nature walk. Several local officials are scheduled to speak, including Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, Pierce County Councilmember Jani Hitchen (District 6), Pierce County Parks and Recreation Director Travis Buell, Pierce County PPW Deputy Director Lauren Flemister, and BlueZones Project Parkland-Spanaway Executive Director Queena Tupou.

The newly completed Phase 1 of the Parkland Community Trail offers a 1.4-mile paved, accessible, multi-use path. It begins at Sprinker Recreation Center and extends to Tule Lake Road, providing a crucial safe, non-motorized route in an area with limited sidewalks and bike lanes. The trail connects local schools and parks within the Parkland Community. Pedestrian crossing signals have been installed at Tule Lake Road and 138th Street S. The design for Phase 1 cost an estimated $500,000, with construction totaling approximately $3,300,000.

Phase 2 of the trail is planned to run from Tule Lake Road through the Pacific Lutheran University disc golf course, connecting to 124th Street S near Keithley Middle School. This phase will be constructed alongside PPW’s Sewer Division as part of the Parkland/Brookdale Interceptor Projects, with construction anticipated between 2028 and 2029. Pierce County Parks plans to lead a routing effort in 2027 to identify further extensions for the trail system.

Event parking will be available at two locations: 813 132nd St S Parkland, WA 98444 (New Pathways) and 611 132nd St S, Parkland, WA 98444 (Brookdale Elementary). Wayfinding signage will guide attendees to the event site. For a map of the location and more information, residents can visit the Parkland Community Trail project website.