Upcoming Events

"Power Play" Art Contest

Contest ends May 19

Contest ends this weekend! We want the youth of Eastside to create an empowering image showcasing the connection between play and heart health. Help us add color and art to Verlo Playfield and inspire your community members.

Kids Night Out

Friday, May 17; 6-9 pm

STAR Center

(Age 5-12) Enjoy a night off while your kids enjoy a night out! Our 5,000 sq. ft. indoor/outdoor Treetops playground is a blast, and kids can also enjoy themed games, and crafts.

Family Nature Walk

Saturday, May 18; 10-11 am at Wapato Park

Saturday, May 18; 1-2 pm at Oak Tree Park

(Ages 3+) Explore Tacoma Parks during these naturalist-led walks.

Community Litter Cleanup

Saturday, May 18; 10-12 pm

Point Defiance Marina

Join community volunteers to clean up areas around the Point Defiance Marina, Owen Beach, Promenade, and the surrounding park.

Queen Victoria's Birthday

Saturday, May 18; 11 am-5 pm

Join us at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum for a day of revelry in honor of Queen Victoria’s birthday!

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum Members receive complementary admission.

Outdoor Adventures

Summer Kayaking Trips now open for registration

(Ages 10+) Registration now open for kayak trips in May-August! Click the link below to browse beginner and intermmediate kayaking experiences in the Puget Sound.

50+ Art Classes

Summer Courses now open for registration

(Ages 50+) Work with an amazing group of people, make lifelong friendships and explore various media to create works of art & fine-tune your skills in our upcoming classes in May, June and July.

Tacoma Lawn Bowling Club

Saturday, May 18 & Saturday, May 25; 10 am-12:30 pm

Wright Park

(Ages 18+) Learn to Bowl classes will teach you the basics of the game and give you the skills and confidence to play in our weekly programs.

Cocoa with the Birds

Sunday, May 19; 10 am-12 pm

Point Defiance Park

Free! Come grab a hot cocoa and join us for a family-friendly birding event.

Tacoma Trails Challenge

May 25 - June 16

The Tacoma Trails Challenge is a 3-week-long event encouraging exploration of our local parks and trails. Being in nature is good for your mental and physical health. Complete 5 challenges or log 25 miles from May 25-June 16 to earn badges and win prizes. It’s FREE! 

Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival

Saturday & Sunday, June 1 & 2; 11 am-6 pm

Tickets now on sale

The Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival on June 1 & 2 is the perfect place to find garden inspiration, shopping, and fun! Free and ticketed experiences make this an that everyone can dig into.

Tacoma Nature Center Interpretive Trail Guide

Now Available Online

As summer draws closer, hike with our new interpretive trail map and guide – now available online!

With our interactive guide, you can choose from three different trail loops from .5 mile to 1.75 miles, each loop with a different interpretive focus, while referencing a list of plant and animal life that is found in the nature preserve.

Lifeguard Training Pre-Course Swimming Assessment

Friday, May 17; 4-5 pm

Eastside Community Center

Enroll in a free swim assessment class. When you pass the assessment you’ll be invited to register for the Lifeguard Training Course.

Park Spotlight

Monday, May 20-Saturday, May 26

McKinley Park

Connect with your community at McKinley Park. We’ll have both passive and active programming occuring throughout the 4th week of May.

Community Centers Closed on Memorial Day

Reminder: all community centers and pools are closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day