$6.3M in upgrades start at Tacoma’s Owen Beach

Metro Parks Tacoma has started a $6.3 million renovation to Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park that will account for an anticipated global sea-level rise.

The park’s infrastructure and buildings, some over 50 years in age, are obsolete and fail to protect the surrounding natural environment. This project will upgrade facilities, landscaping, access and utilities — including installation of a new waterline from Five Mile Drive.

The improvements are designed to improve traffic flow, stormwater treatment, parking and recreation spaces while honoring the park’s character. The updated design for the shoreline has bump outs that enable people with mobility issues to have closer experiences where they can be surrounded on three sides by views of the beach and Puget Sound.

Highlights of the project include a new restroom building and shared use pavilion with seasonal food concession and indoor/outdoor gathering space. The existing restroom building will be removed. The new pavilion will be framed with cross-laminated timber.

A former bathhouse will be converted for kayak rental and storage, and the route to the beach for hand-carried watercraft will be improved. There also will be a plaza and pathways for improved beach access that are ADA compliant, as well as an ADA-accessible children’s pocket park with nature-themed play equipment. Crews will install a custom Orca sculpture built in Tacoma by park and playground equipment designer Highwire.

Other improvements include reconstructing the lawn area and re-striping the parking lot to add 20 stalls for a total of 248. There also will be improved drop-off areas for those arriving by shuttle or ride share. Modest renovations will be made to the existing WPA picnic shelter.

Beach restoration will include the removal of concrete along the shoreline and new native plants. Pedestrian access will be enhanced through a variety of ramps, stairs and seat plinths.

Metro Parks says new structures will be built back from the water’s edge and at a slightly higher elevation in anticipation of a sea level rise of between 3 and 6 feet at the end of the century, based upon current forecast models.

Colvos Construction is the general contractor and the lead design consultant is SiteWorkshop. SHKS Architects is part of the design team.

“The project is in a beautiful setting, surrounded by the best that Puget Sound has to offer,” said Colvos President Devin Page in a news release. “Of personal interest to Colvos, Owen Beach looks directly upon Colvos Passage, a waterway that perpetually flows north and the inspiration for our name. For all of these reasons, we’re thrilled to be entrusted with such a special project.”

Colvos was the lowest of seven firms seeking the work, with a bid of $4.27 million including alternates. Most bids were close to $5 million and the highest was $6.73 million.

Metro Parks expects to reopen Owen Beach in mid-summer 2022. All of 4-acre site, including its entry and exit roads, stairs, parking, beaches and the access point at the north end of the promenade are closed during construction.

Owen Beach is named after Park Superintendent Floyd E. Owen in recognition of his 47 years at the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma, from 1912 to 1959.

Swenson Say Faget (SSF) is the structural engineer for this project.

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