Parks

Park Report: Nathan Chapman Trail and South Hill Community Park

August 27, 2018 by Maegen Blue

Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail (The NCT Trail) and South Hill Community Park

Contributing writer, Amy, has a report on a park and trail great for hunting painted rocks, taking a stroll, or having an adventure with new bike riders near Puyallup’s South Hill. If you’ve heard references to the, “NCT trail, ” and wondered where on Earth it is, we’re here to help!

Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail (simply known as “NCT” to locals) and South Hill Community Park are a sweet little two-fer that includes both a nature trail and playground. Nestled discreetly on South Hill on the corner of 144th St E and 86th St E, just down the road from Rogers High School, you would never know that this calm and beautiful landscape is mere blocks from the hustle and bustle of Meridian.

Trail at Nathan Chapman Park

The 1.6 miles of paved trail is actually split into two separate walks, both accessible from the trailhead access point at the north end of the parking lot, or the playground trail at the south end of the parking lot. All of the trails are paved with almost no incline, making it perfect for strollers, wheelchairs, and little ones learning to ride. Trails are pet-friendly and offer waste bag stations at both ends of the trail.

The South Hill Loop is a short loop that encircles the soccer fields and wetlands, perfect for those looking for a short walk. The Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail is a longer path that meanders through the woods and back toward the surrounding neighborhood. Both trails are mostly forested, offering ample shade on a warm day and beautiful colors in the fall.

This trail system gets a lot of use, seeing increased usage over the past year or so as it has become a popular spot for the rock painting movement. It’s not uncommon to come across people hiding or finding painted rocks along the path, so keep your eyes peeled and you may find a treasure for yourself!

Playground at South Hill Community Park

The playground boasts three separate structures. One for older kids that includes a climbing wall and tube slide, one for toddlers that includes a short tunnel and small slide, and a set of two swings. Both are “big kid” swings, and there are no baby swings or special needs swings at this park.

The modest restroom facility includes two bathrooms and a water fountain that are only open seasonally and typically close during the winter. There are no baby changing tables, so plan to head back to the car if you’ve got littles in diapers. There are also two picnic tables near the playground as well as a few benches.

One draw of this play space is the huge field area, consisting of two full-size soccer fields. They can get a little muddy during the rainy season, but offer ample space for all park goers to find an area to play the sport of their choice.

**Be aware that there have been reports of car prowls in the parking lot. Be certain that you secure your vehicle and do not leave any valuables in sight in your car!

** Also, several readers on our Fb page warn that there is a big problem with dog poop here-even right on the trail. Ewwww. Also, Ewwww. Anyway, look out for that, and those of you with dogg-os, please do scoop the poop!

Amy Rogers

2017 FREE Days at Washington State and National Parks

March 12, 2017 by Keri Welch

Guess what’s coming up? It’s a FREE day at our state parks (No Discover WA pass needed). If you love the outdoors as much as we do here at Sounds Fun Mom, you’ll want to be sure to put these dates on your calendar! Here are the dates and info you need to know about fee free days at Washington state parks and national parks in 2017! We also have recommendations for our favorite state parks below!

Discover Pass Free Days

If you want vehicle access to state parks or recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks, you will need a Discover Pass. It will cost you $30 annually, or $10 for a one day pass. But, the following are Discover Pass Free Days:

Discover Pass Free Days
Washington State Parks offers several “free days” when a Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park. Following are the 2017 State Parks free days:
Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
Jan. 15-16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
March 19 — State Park’s 104th birthday
April 15 — Spring day
April 22 — Earth Day
June 3 — National Trails Day
June 10 — National Get Outdoors Day
Aug. 25 — National Park Service 101st Birthday
Sept. 30 — National Public Lands Day
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Nov. 24 — Autumn day

Fee Free Days Washington state parks and national parks

The nature trail at Dash Point State Park

The free days only apply to day use and not overnight stays or rented facilities, or those lands managed by the Washington State Departments of Natural Resources and Fish & Wildlife.

If you decide you want to purchase a Discover Pass, you can buy them online, from over 600 licensed vendors, from the Department of Licensing when you renew your license, at state parks where representatives are present, and at over 80 retail locations.

Two of our favorite South Sound Washington State Parks are Saltwater State Park in Des Moines and Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. Tolmie near Olympia and Kopachuck near Gig Harbor are also great. We’d love to hear about your favorites, too. Leave a comment and spill!

There are also some days when you can get free entry to national parks!

Fee Free Days at National Parks

Fee Free Days 2016 Washington State Parks and National Parks

Hiking at Olympic National Park

2017 Free Days at National Parks

January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20: Presidents’ Day
April 15-16 and 22-23: Weekends of National Park Week
August 25: National Park Service Birthday
September 30: National Public Lands Day
November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend

If you are heading toward Mt. Rainier, you might find these posts helpful:

Ten Great Hikes For Kids Near Mt. Rainier
A Kid Friendly Guide To Mt.Rainier

4th Graders FREE to National Parks

In case you haven’t heard, the Every Kid in a Park Initiative allows all 2016-2017 4th graders and their families free access to national parks. Get more info at our post about Every Kid in a Park! PS You can use your free pass for everyone in the car, and it’s good all the way through August! An amazing deal!

5th Grade Ski Passport

If you’ve got a 5th grader and are planning to travel to Eastern Washington or Northern Idaho, your child can get a FREE ski passport to ride or ski at participating slopes. Get all the info at the 5th Grade Ski Passport site.

What are some of your favorite state or national parks to enjoy with your kiddos?

Playground Report: Puget Park

September 12, 2016 by Maegen Blue

Sun is in the forecast all week. Just in time, our contributor Tabitha has a report on Puget Park in North Tacoma, a unique pocket park with interesting equipment, shady picnic spots, and a trail that leads down to Ruston Way.

Puget Park sits on 1.22 acres and is nestled on 31st & N. Proctor in North Tacoma, with a newly updated playground and a trail connecting Puget Gulch and the Ruston Way waterfront.

pugetpark1

The park offers a playground, trails, and shade that makes it a great spot on a hot day. There are tables for a picnic, or you can throw down a blanket and relax on the grass.

pugetpark2

The playground equipment is fairly new and has many different features. I’d say the toys are appropriate for a range of ages; 0-2 years old will love the swings and the shaded grass, 2-12 will find something they love. I’d say the big toy is geared more towards ages 2-7, as the older children get bored quickly. Ages 8-12 will enjoy the spinning toys surrounding the big toy. There are plenty of hills if your child loves to roll down the grass hills. [Read more…]

Park Report: Wildwood Park in Puyallup

August 17, 2016 by Maegen Blue

This shady park might be Puyallup’s best kept secret, and it’s perfect for kids whose favorite playground is mother nature!

It’s great if you’re looking for a park where kids can wade or keep cool,and it’s also a nice spot to meet up for a nature walk (you can even bring the stroller!) or a picnic.

The two playground structures are by the little creek (Crick?). They’re nothing special, but the kids will have fun on them. The metal slide can get hot on those very rare days when they’ve been in the sun long enough.

Wildwood Park Puyallup

For most kids, the water will be the primary attraction. It’s truly just a trickle, especially in the summer, but it’s plenty for kids to stomp in, and it’s just the right amount for making temporary dams and floating leaf boats. I always made my kids wear sandals or water shoes.

My boys and I have also spent many days here exploring the woods and walking on the trails. It’s an 80 acre park with more than 50 forested ares of towering trees.

IMG_0416 (1)

A few things to know if you go: [Read more…]

Park Report: Deep Lake At Nolte State Park

July 28, 2016 by Maegen Blue

Looking for another fun place to swim? Awesome reader, Cortnie, sent in these pics from Deep Lake in Enumclaw that make me want to dive right in!

It’s in Enumclaw, so a bit of a trek for some of you, but it looks worth it if you’re looking for a quiet, clean place to splash and play. Do note that it is actually part of Nolte State Park, so you’ll need a Discover Pass, or you can get one for the day. ** There aren’t lifeguards, so you’ll need to watch your kiddos at all times. Readers also caution that just like the name suggests, it’s deep, with no real shallow area, right from the start, so consider floats and life jackets in addition to vigilance.

Motorized boats aren’t allowed, so you’ll enjoy a peaceful environment.

What else could you want? Cortnie says you’ll also find a lovely trail around the lake and clean bathrooms. Woot! Sounds playdate meet-up worthy to me! You can also check it out on the state parks site here.

For more swimming lakes, you can check our round-up here (be sure to read the comments for more reviews and recs).

For ALL our best warm weather posts just head to the home page, where we’ve pinned our, “Beat the heat guide.” We also have a post on Mud Mountain Dam in Enumclaw here. The wading pool there should open just After the 4th of July.

Would you like to share pics or a review with us? We love them!! Feel free to share them with us on our Facebook page or email soundsfunmom@gmail.com!

Park Report: Mud Mountain Dam and Recreation Area

July 27, 2016 by Maegen Blue

As of 7/13/2020 Mud Mountain Dam is closed due to Covid.

Directions and contact info. are here. Read on for our original post on this fun spot!

This park has it all: hiking, beautiful views, playgrounds, picnic shelters, outdoor grills and a fun splash pool/fountain.

A friend and I visited this park with our kids (12, 10 and 9 year olds) and our dogs.

First, we checked out the hiking trails. We started at Vista Sites, which is an observation deck overlooking the river and dam. The view of the river is amazing, and there are several informational plaques describing the history of the dam as well. The Vista Trail (.3 miles) leads from the upper deck down a hill to another observation area for a closer view of the water. Unfortunately, the Vista Trail was closed due to fallen trees, but a sign stated that it will be open soon. I’ve been on that trail before and although it is steep, the view is amazing, so don’t miss it if it is open!

Next, we found the trailhead for the Rim Trail, located just outside the main gate of the park. This trail is narrow (we had to hike single file) and a little overgrown. The main trail continues for 2 miles, but our kids wanted to get back to play in the fountain, so we hiked one mile out and back. The trail winds through thick forest so we stayed cool on a really warm day. We could hear the river, but we couldn’t see it.

This trail continues for two miles, before connecting to another trail that leads along the river for a total of 5 miles. Due to roots, inclines, and uneven ground, I really wouldn’t recommend this hike for younger kids. Ours did have fun, and we plan on returning to hike the rest. You can check out this trip report at Visit Rainier for more information. Note that it also cautions about unstable ground.

The park itself is amazing, with four separate play structures, one that has swings only (two baby swings and two regular) and the three play structures feature the usual slides, rings, etc.

There are many covered picnic areas, some with grills, and lots of grassy meadow for lounging. A clean bathroom with a baby changing table is right next to the splash pool.

The favorite for our kiddos was the giant, mushroom-shaped fountain and wading pool. Be sure and pack the kids’ bathing suits, because only swimwear is permitted in the water. Note from SFM-In the summer of 2016 one of our readers reported a lot of bees/insects near the pool. That was not our writer’s experience, so we suspect something must have been blooming. We haven’t heard reports of anything like that recently, but there are some other links at the bottom of this post if you need a back up option (You could also do a hike/playground and skip the pool-if your kids would be ok with that).

If you go-Mud Mountain Dam Recreation Area is at 30525 SE Mud Mountain Rd, Enumclaw, WA 98022 You’ll see a sign on your right, and the park is at the end of a short road/driveway. There is ample parking and no fee. I’ve only found it to be close to busy if there is a group there. It is a bit out of the way, unless you’re in Enumclaw, so we suggest you pack a picnic and your suits and have a full day of play and relaxation with some pals! The water is typically on until the first freeze. You can get more detailed directions here.

Article and pictures by contributor Tiffany Doerr Guerzon.

We have more great summer hikes with the kids here! One to consider that is somewhat close to Mud Mountain is Federation Forest.

Park Report: Sunnyside Beach Park in Steilacoom

July 21, 2016 by Maegen Blue

If you’re looking for things to do with the kids near University Place or Lakewood, head on over to Sunnyside Beach Park, a terrific park that offers beach play, a playground, and even some train spotting, all in the charming little town of Steilacoom. Read on for all the scoop from new contributing writer, Tabitha!

Playground at Sunnyside Beach in Steilacoom

Sunnyside Park truly is perfect for all ages. Kids 2-8 will love the playground. Do keep in mind it is not fenced in, so you’ll want to watch your little ones to make sure they don’t wander to the beach without you. There is a fence between the playground and train tracks. The playground has a colorful climber and swings for babies and big kids.

sandy beach near Tacoma at Sunnyside Beach

The park also features a beach with sand in spots for sand castle making! A train track nearby means you’re sure to see a train or two while playing, and it is fenced in except for the entrance, which isn’t very close to the playground. It’s definitely a great outing for the little train lover. There are also plenty of picnic tables and bbq pits throughout the park, one picnic shelter, bathrooms with showers, and two volleyball courts great for teenagers or game loving families (bring your own ball).

Sunnyside Beach Park The Sugar Shack sells cold treats, drinks and snacks during the weekends Friday-Sundays 1-7PM.

The park is at 2509 Chambers Creek Rd, Steilacoom WA There is ample parking available, though you do need to bring some cash as it is fee based. 5.00 will cover non residents for the day. If you don’t want to pay, you can typically find free parking a short walk away.

Tabitha Black- local mom, lifestyle, travel and family blogger. Check her out at her blog, Love, Tabitha.

Need more ideas to enjoy this (Finally!!) sun filled day? Our beat the heat round up has more beaches, places to swim, and everything else you need to know today! You can also always find more under the summer tab in the menu bar.

Park Report: Kobayashi Park in University Place

July 20, 2016 by Maegen Blue

Contributing writer, Tabitha, has a report on a fun park to try in University Place.

Kobayashi Park: A Shaded Park With a Creek in University Place

Note from SFM

As with all parks with water please exercise appropriate caution. Some sections are not suitable for children. Use your best judgement! Also note that some readers have seen folks who appear homeless here, as is often the case at area parks these days. Again, use your own comfort level as your guide.

Moving on….

Kobayashi Park is a hidden gem just perfect for Tacoma and Lakewood area families looking for a short nature walk for beginning hikers, or just a pleasant place to picnic, splash, and play with the kids.

We discovered this local secret in University Place a few years back.

It’s called Kobayashi Park, and it’s where Leach Creek meets Chambers Creek and flows into the Puget Sound. It is the perfect spot to have fun, get wet, and cool off during the summer months, and explore nature and rejuvenate during the cold months.

When the water is warm enough, kids (and you), can splash around in the creek, throw rocks, search for bugs and crawfish (kinda hard to find, though), and just have fun cooling off. Even if you don’t want to play in the water, this place is still the perfect spot for summer time, because plenty of tree coverage equals lots of shade. This park is truly perfect for all ages.

Keep in mind, Leach Creek is not very deep and the stream of the water is very mellow, so this side is perfect for children! Leach Creek flows into Chambers Creek and that is the creek you need to use more caution around, especially with young ones. There is also very small waterfall.

Besides the creeks, this park offers a trail to explore, and it’s a great place to walk the dog and get some exercise. It’s also perfect for anyone looking for a short and easy hike or nature walk with young or beginner hikers. There are a couple benches throughout the 5.5 acre park, if you want to just sit and relax.

The park also is a great spot to picnic or have a get together; there are flushing toilets, picnic tables, two covered picnic shelters with electrical plugins and bbq pits. During the warmer months, this is a popular location for family picnics and for good reason.

Getting there: We drove by this park for years without knowing it was here. The address is Kobayashi Park Drive University Place, WA 98467 If you do happen to get lost, just keep in mind it is down 67th Ave W just before it turns into Chambers Creek Rd. Once you turn onto Kobayashi Park Drive (it has a Dead End sign), drive down and you will see a white fence. Then to your right you will (finally) see the park sign. The park itself is down the small hill.

Parking: the park only has about 10 parking spaces(wheelchair parking available) down below, and on a hot day this is a popular spot, and you may have a difficult time finding a parking spot if you come at prime time. Don’t let that scare you away, though. If there are absolutely no parking spaces available down below, you are allowed to park up on Kobayashi Park Dr. It is a short walk down the hill, and there is usually not much traffic to worry about while you’re walking down.

Hope you enjoy this beautiful park as much as we do.

Note from SFM: I found another post by a travel site that has driving directions that are a teensy bit more specific if these don’t work for you. It’s here!

Tabitha Black- local mom, lifestyle, travel and family blogger at Love Tabitha

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like our round up of South Sound parks with shade. Got kids who love to splash and wade? The bottom of our post on swimming lakes has a short list of places for the wading set!

If you would like to write for us, we are currently accepting submissions for Gig Harbor, Bonney Lake, Auburn, and Tacoma area outings. Please search our archives first and send an inquiry with your just your idea to soundsfunmom@gmail.com. We’d love to read your stuff! 🙂

Puyallup Sprayground Opens!

May 25, 2016 by Maegen Blue

Hey, Puyallup, wondering when your sprayground will open?

The sprayground-splash pad has had periodic openings already, but it will officially open for the season on May 26th with a summer kick off party at 5PM.

After that, it will have daily hours beginning May 27th!

The sprayground is right by the downtown library (Get your books first because wet kiddos and books don’t mix)!

There is also a fun playground with Big slides at Pioneer Park, and on weekends there is one of the area’s best farmer’s markets, which means this place is hopping!

The sprayground isn’t huge, but it’s plenty of fun. My son and his pal had a ball there on one of those really hot days a couple of weeks ago. There are fountain things for little ones to walk by and over, and there are some interactive, overhead features that can dump a Lot of water when kids get them going.

All the kids I saw were having a ball! Tomorrow’s event will also include vendors and other kick-off style fun!

Tomorrow’s event will go on rain or shine unless there is an outright downpour, in which case it will be canceled.

Check the parks Facebook page for updates.

If you’re wondering where to park on a busy day, I suggest the parking garage at city hall, which has ample, underused public parking. You can also find street parking. Parking by the spray park itself will be next to impossible. I don’t recommend changing at the library for various reasons, so my suggestion is you do all your dry play first, then enjoy the spray park, and bring dry stuff they can easily throw over their suits in the car or whatever….If you’ve got a better routine, let me know!

Thanks to Puyallup dad and city councilman, Tom Swanson for the photos!

Stroller Friendly Trails in the South Sound

April 12, 2016 by Keri Welch

Looking for a trail you can walk with a stroller, or maybe just a walk that the whole family can enjoy? We’ve rounded up some favorite South Sound options featuring paved, stroller friendly trails.

Note-While we enjoy all these trails, we do want you to use reasonable caution; don’t leave valuables at the trailheads-even for a minute! Read on for the list, and be sure to check the comments for more!

Stroller Friendly Trails near Tacoma, Olympia, Gig Harbor, Spanaway

Milton Interurban Trail

Stroller Friendly Hikes in the South Sound

Photo Credit: City of Milton

This trail is paved and good for walking or biking, and perfect for strollers. with lengths as long as 2.8 miles. If your kiddo has a time limit on how long they’ll sit in the stroller, simply make a u-turn when you feel you’ve gone far enough. The scenic route includes forest views as well as a peak at the East Branch of Hylebos Creek. There are also picnic tables on this trail that you access at 70th Avenue.

Bradley Lake Park, Puyallup

Photo Credit: City of Puyallup

Walk a loop around Bradley Lake along the paved 0.8 mile trail. There are also some shorter paved and unpaved side trails. If your littles need a spot to stretch their legs, they can roam around the playground.

Puyallup’s Foothills Trail

Photo Credit: Pierce County

If you live near Puyallup, the Foothills Trail is the perfect spot to take your little one for a walk in the stroller. There are 15 miles of paved trails stretching from Meeker to South Prairie, and also a 2 mile section in Buckley. The trail is 12 feet wide, so bring your friends and walk side by side. View the map and trailheads on the Foothills Trail page. Eventually the Foothills Trail will also connect with the Puyallup Riverwalk Trail.

Tehaleh, Bonney Lake

If you’ve got a jogging stroller or off-roading type stroller, Tehaleh is the place to be. This beautiful, newish community in Bonney Lake boasts over 10 miles of trails, some of which are paved, others are smaller gravel. There are parks, ponds, and “outdoor living rooms” nestled within the trails. Explore their handy Trail Map online before you go. This community is so picturesque, you won’t want to leave without checking out some of the homes for sale.

Chambers Bay, Tacoma

If you’re looking for a trail with a view, this is the spot. There are 5 trails to choose from, ranging in length from 0.5 miles to 2 miles. The trails are primarily paved and easy to traverse with the most basic stroller. Get more info on this hike on our post on South Sound Rainy Day Hikes and Trails with Kids.

Spanaway Park Trail

Take a 3 mile walk through beautiful Spanaway Park. While the trail is only partially paved, you should be able to traverse it in a decent stroller. You’ll enjoy views of the lake, wetlands, and rolling hills. Be warned, there is also an awesome playground at this park that your kiddos will insist on checking out.

Cushman Trail, Gig Harbor

cushman-trail-1

Near Gig Harbor? The SFM grandma recommends Cushman Trail, a paved, but non-motorized trail that’s perfect for beginning bike riders. Wide paths and multiple bathrooms along the way! There are multiple access points along the trail, including 96th St NW, Grandview, Hollycroft and 14th Ave NW. Check out the site to see a map and choose the spot best for your crew.

Chehalis Western Trail, Olympia

This trail boasts over 22 miles of public space, featuring a variety of terrain and views, including wetlands, Puget Sound, Chambers Lake, forests, and more. Almost all 22 miles of the trail are paved. You can choose from 7 trailheads, but be sure to check out the map before you go so you’ll be sure you know when to turn around.

Do you know of any other stroller friendly trails in the South Sound?