Did you know you can pick FREE blueberries, grown without pesticides, right off the bushes in Tacoma? It’s true! If you haven’t discovered this not-quite-secret treasure in Tacoma, you’ll want to add it to your bucket list. It’s a great activity to do with the kids. Note-We have a few thoughts on safety concerns at the bottom of this post.
What’s better than fresh blueberries? How about fresh and free blueberries?
Charlotte’s Blueberry Park in Tacoma is a Metro Parks Tacoma property, and thanks to the efforts of volunteers, like its namesake, the late Charlotte Valbert, it’s full of thriving blueberry bushes, and the picking is free! Plus, they grow naturally-no pesticides or other gunk.
The pictures in this post are from my family’s outing last August. The picking season typically runs July-September.
There are thousands of berries at Blueberry Park, including some on bushes right next to a nice, paved path. The only bushes we saw that had really been picked over were a few right by the path.
The bushes are tall and dense. The hubs says to tell you to keep your kids right by you, if you don’t want to loose ’em in the shrubbery!
We found tons of berries-ripe and still green. I’m guessing you will, too!
We picked around half a gallon in about an hour. We probably could have gotten more if we hadn’t brought the rescue lab to help.
The boys had fun, although Henry got crabby once he realized he was working hard. When I wrote about strawberrry picking last year, my brilliant friend Traci suggested bringing some small cars to let kids play with between the bushes. Great idea, huh? We also saw lots of kids riding bikes on the path and generally running around yelling. If you’re fine with having yours out of your sight, that’s an option. Do bring sunscreen, hats, and water,if you go on one of the upcoming sunny days. There is a nice, shaded area for a picnic, but you’ll get plenty warm picking.
Several readers have suggested going to this spot Early to beat the neighborhood competition. Honestly, we found plenty mid day by going back in the middle and looking high and low. This time of year there may be fewer ripe, so an early start is probably smart (and it will be cooler).
Is It Safe?
One final note-In July of 2015 there was a shooting near this park, and more recently some readers say they have seen evidence of drug use and paraphernalia here.
Updated 2019-I haven’t been here in quite a while. I do know some neighbors of the park were just recently at the council speaking about ongoing safety concerns. A friend on Twitter let me know that she saw the impression of a handgun in the snow there this winter. I know-YIPES.
On the other hand, I know there is an active Friends group here, and MetroParks has added some new features, and safety, at the end of the day, is such a personal issue. If you have been here recently, I’d love to hear what you think!
I do have a list of other options at more traditional U Pick farms below if this isn’t a spot where you feel safe with your kiddos. If you’ve been here recently, I’d also love your input on this issue and how you felt here. I know there is a, “Friends,” group that works hard here.
Here’s a full round of places to pick blueberries in the South Sound.
We made our annual trip to the park last week on Wednesday! My 8 year old rode his bike, my 11 year old picked and ate blueberries and my 6 year old picked blueberries diligently. We went later than was smart and boiled as a result, so we quit when we had enough for our annual blueberry pie. This year my 6 year old made it all by himself (with verbal instructions). I’m a terrible gardener, black thumb, so this field to table experience is very valuable.
Awesome, Larissa! I am a black thumb, too, so I totally understand!
We went blueberry picking at Charlotte’s park last Thursday, July 31st and it was awesome. Lots of berries to pick. We ended up with about 2 buckets full (about 15 cups). They taste so good!! There were still lots of green berries, so I’m guessing the picking will still be good for the next couple of weeks. Go early in the morning though, otherwise it is too hot.
Went picking today and the berry selection was pretty good, between my mom and I we picked about 12 to 13 cups
I’ve measured my life in these bushes. My grandmother found this park in the 70’s and has been picking there ever since. This park is a boon to our city.
Thanks for that lovely note, Bree. I agree. It’s such a unique treasure, and I love that it was preserved.