Our Tacoma waterfront is a jewel to be protected and enjoyed. The shoreline is a riparian zone supporting many unique species of plants, birds and fish. Urban forests provide habitat for more wildlife. The beautiful vistas inspire and reenergize our souls.

Twenty years ago, The City Club developed The Dome to Defiance plan to launch a better vision for our waterfront, one of clean parks, healthy environment and people friendly walkways.

The State of Washington, Pierce County,  MetroParks, The City of Tacoma and private individuals have invested heavily in a series of parks and walkways with the goal of  ringing the shoreline of South Puget Sound including Thea Foss waterway, Commencement Bay and Ruston Way.

Citizens for a Healthy Bay, The Chinese Reconciliation Park, and the Working Waterfront Museum are also working to secure the health, history and enjoyment of our waterfront.

The placemaking organization called Project for Public Spaces has articulated a plan of thirteen steps to Turn a Waterfront Around. A pdf of their recommendations appears on the left sidebar of this page.

We learned at the community wide Talk Tacoma public meetings last Fall, that the most appreciated aspects of Tacoma are: walking along
Ruston Way and Point Defiance Park.

Walk the Waterfront members believe that a seven mile waterfront walkway connecting the Tacoma Dome with Point Defiance Park would be a magnificent destination for all.

In Tacoma, we are so close to completing our dream.

Join us to Walk the Waterfront!