Old Town Park

Beach, Neighborhoods, Old Town, Park, Play, Playgrounds, Stadium - By Jennifer Boutell on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 - 16:38

I'd never really move to Tukwila. Not with days like yesterday just a short drive down the hill. Spring has finally decided to make a Spring Break appearance, so when Amy called about an adventure yesterday, I thought of Old Town Park, The Spar, and the Waterfront. This is one of my all-time favorite Good Tacoma Days, and all you need to enjoy it is a little warmth and sunlight.

Old Town Park has an older playground that tends to have drainage problems. If you catch it on a good day, however, it's a great place for the kids to practice their climbing skills, and roam for a little while along the top of the fence like the wild children of previous generations. It's also home to the Job Carr Cabin museum, which I've never managed to catch when it's open. (Wednesday-Friday 1-4.)

After the park, we packed up our posse and walked over to the Spar for lunch. With four little kids we did kind of dominate the Cafe section, but I don't think their behavior was quite as shocking as the looks on some of the clientèle's faces would indicate. (Yes, that is the young of the species. Observe how it resists sitting still despite gentle correction from its parent. Note how this effect is magnified when traveling in packs.) The kids were actually pretty subdued - for them - and busy with the provided toys and coloring books.

After The Spar, we herded the children down to the beach for several hours of digging. ("We're building the shield wall!" "The shield is almost complete! Dig, Dig!") The area to the left of Jack Hyde Park has some of the best sand along the Ruston Way waterfront, and lots of great driftwood seats for moms. I wouldn't really advise going in the water there, even if it were warm enough, but it's definitely all the beach you need on a March afternoon in the Northwest.

Jack Hyde Park

2201 Ruston Way (right behind The Spar/Old Town Bicycle), on the waterfront)

Tacoma, WA 98402

Old Town Park

2350 N 30th St (next to Tully's)

Tacoma, WA 98403

(253) 627-5405

The Spar

2121 N 30th St (one block South of Old Town Park)

Tacoma, WA 98403

(253) 627-8215

Stadium