Jack C. Wilson Active Kids Fund

The Active Kids Fund ensures that low-income community members have equitable access to Parks Tacoma’s award-winning programs. The Active Kids Fund provides financial assistance (a fee reduction of 50-75%) to low-income kids, families, and individuals to remove financial barriers to participation in Parks Tacoma’s classes, programs, and experiences.

TACOMA PARKS FOUNDATION MEMORIAL PROGRAM

Uniting around the development of the whole child, our local Tacoma municipalities along with private businesses, youth orientated-non-profits, health and social service providers, and cultural arts institutions— are supporting Tacoma Public Schools and collectively working together to ensure that all elementary and middle school children have access, exposure, and opportunity for social and emotional learning during non-school hours and helping solve the child care crisis. Please click on the logos above to learn more.

Our parks, gardens and open spaces are part of what makes living in Tacoma so special. TPF’s Memorial Program is a wonderful philanthropic way to honor a loved one.

Participation in the Memorial Program begins at $6,000. Most donors choose to adopt a park bench with a plaque written in remembrance. Other limited opportunities for plaque placement may occasionally be available.

Memorial Program gifts are tax deductible. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Quinn Bartholomew at quinn@tacomaparksfoundation.org.

peck community sports park

Parks Tacoma has identified the need for more turf fields, field lights, and indoor facilities in Pierce County, as well as unstructured activities and low-barrier spaces that honor and encourage drop-in play. The park district worked with Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) to shift from a traditional fenced athletic cloverleaf complex to create an open-access community park with multipurpose sports fields for high school sports to be used by the community at large. The phase 1 baseball field was funded by TPS ($5.5 million) and is the home of the Stadium Tigers. 

When they are not using the field, it will be open for Parks and community use. Phases 2-4 will be funded jointly: Parks Tacoma will invest capital funding from state and matching public sector grants ($5.5 million) and TPF is seeking $10 million from individual donors and the philanthropic community. Parks Tacoma staff, TPS athletics, community and youth voices, and the findings of the State of Play report influenced the master plan.

specialized, adaptive & Unified sports

Tacoma Public Schools and Parks Tacoma are teaming up with Special Olympics Washington and Outdoor for All to build on their current efforts in Unified Sports and Parks Tacoma adaptive programming for Tacoma Public School students to become more active and social. Special Olympics Washington and Outdoors for All brings extensive experience and resources to organizing high quality programs for athletes with disabilities. Their expertise will help develop and sustain inclusive sports programs that are both impactful and accessible. These programs provide targeted support and accommodations, addressing specific needs and helping participants build confidence, develop new skills, and improve their overall well-being. 

tacoma youth sports leagues

To improve outcomes, our community partners are shifting the traditional recreation sports league model of expecting the participants to come to the sport. Instead, they will bring the sport to the participants at their home school for practices and games. Keeping kids in their neighborhood at their school removes participation and transportation barriers for youth and families and builds on school community and pride.