An Outing to Wright Park

Updated March. 2017

Reader and fellow preschool mom, Kris, wrote to me about the great time her family had at Wright Park and the Seymour Conservatory. I’ve mentioned the conservatory a few times before. It’s a beautiful place full of tropical plants as well as seasonal displays that are changed out during the year. It’s a great solution for those holidays when the kids are all dressed up, but it’s too cold to pose them for outside pictures. Kris let me know that her son and nephew enjoyed the new playground equipment, so my senior research assistant and I took a little trip.

Tropical Plants Line the Conservatory Paths

Now, just a few years ago, I would not have recommended you go to Wright Park. It had fallen on hard times, and the crowd there was just not friendly. Well, I’m pleased to report that there have been major efforts to restore this jewel in the heart of Tacoma. On our trip, we found the new playground equipment sparkling and not a drop of litter anywhere. It was a chilly day, but there were still half a dozen kids playing on the playground, which features a traditional climbing toy, and some European style features such as a merry go round/gyroscope thingie and an upright xylophone.  The parks department is also in the process of installing the rest of the equipment, which will include an upgraded sprayground. If you have a little one who would be happy watching construction for an hour, this would be a nice, safe way to do it!

You won’t want to miss the conservatory, which is a glass sided building near the hospital side of the park. It’s full of beautiful tropical plants and a koi pond. If you go in the gift shop and ask, your kiddos can get a little cup of food to feed them. Jack had a ball trying to aim his pellets so certain fish could get to them. There is also a little bench and a selection of books for children to browse, or they can draw a picture of their favorite flower. It’s also nice just to breathe in the warm, tropical air this time of year. The gift shop attendant did say she was almost out of food. I assume they replenish the supply, but I would surprise your kids with this rather than promising them, just in case. How long you’ll want to spend here depends on your child. I wouldn’t take a grabby or mouthy toddler-can you imagine? And there is definitely no room for a stroller. My 7 year old spent a happy 20 minutes here. I’m not taking his brother for another two years, but when I was a girl, I would have sat on that bench and read until someone made me leave. Funny how kids are different, isn’t it? The conservatory is free, although a 3.00 donation is suggested.

What I like about this outing is that the park itself is so large that you can easily make a day of it in warmer weather, by checking out the conservatory, playing on the playground, and just walking the paths and admiring the ducks.

Have you been somewhere great with your family lately? Let me know! I’d love to feature it here on Sounds Fun Mom.