Point Defiance Drawing

President Andrew Johnson originally set aside Point Defiance Park as a military reservation, although it never was home to military operations. A bill authorizing Tacoma to use the reserve as a public park was approved in 1888 by President Grover Cleveland. Visitors in the 1890s came by streetcar to stroll through the new gardens and dense forest. An octagonal waterfront pavilion was completed in 1903. Park visitors gravitated toward the beachfront where they could rent a boat, eat ice cream or clam chowder, picnic and enjoy the view. The southern end of the park became a seaside resort known as Nereides Baths by 1907, offering a heated saltwater bathing pavilion on the bluff above the boathouse. In the 1920s, an added two-story building served as a restaurant and ballroom. After 1935, it also was used as an aquarium and a boathouse. The aquatic animals have since moved to a modern aquarium within the zoo grounds. The Boathouse Marina was built in 1988-90 following a 1984 fire. The Lodge, the oldest standing structure originally built in the park, was finished in 1898. It served as the park superintendent's home until 1980. The Pagoda was completed in 1914 as a streetcar station. It became a bus waiting area in 1938 and was remodeled in 1963 as a center for flower shows and social gatherings. The Pagoda and Lodge were refurbished in 1988 and are now popular rentals for meetings, receptions and weddings.

Park Photo

Park hours:

• Dawn to Dusk

This park has 15 features:

• Beach Access - Linear Feet of Salt Water Fishing Salt Water Fishing
• Beach Access - Linear Feet of Salt Water Swimming Salt Water Swimming
• Boat Ramp Boat Launch - Ramp
• Building (69) Condition:verify all 1 Building 69 Including Zoo/ best I could see on Orthos
• Concession Stand Snack Shop
• Garden Viewing Garden - Public
• Picnic Shelters - With Cooking Facilities Picnic Shelters - With Cooking Facilities
• Picnic Tables Picnic Tables - Uncovered Numerous
• Playground Playground - Uncovered
• Public Art Art Work/Heritage Monument
• Restrooms Restrooms
• Tennis Court Tennis Court - Outdoor Unlighted
• Trails Trail - Primitive (Miles)
• Trails Trail - Multipurpose Asphalt Concrete or Other Surface
• Trails Trail - Dirt (Miles)

This park has 4 rental facilities:

• Community Service Room
• General Meeting Rooms With Kitchen
• Picnic Shelters - With Cooking Facilities
• Special Event or Activity

Park web links:

• www.metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance-park

Additional park details:

• Acres improved:647.858
• Acres unimproved:0.0
• Park classification:Regional
• Park agency/district:City of Tacoma