TACOMA, Wash. -- Metro Parks Tacoma is looking for ways to improve traffic and parking at one of the region’s most popular destinations, Point Defiance Park, where cars jam narrow roads on sunny weekends.
Drivers like Carol Eckrom circle the park, hoping to find an open space.
“Actually, I've started to avoid it because of the parking situation on busy and hot days. We didn’t come out yesterday because I knew the beach would just be insane,” she said Sunday.
Around 3.1 million people visit the park annually. Most drive, so Metro Parks Tacoma is considering building a parking structure.
Planners are also thinking about changing traffic patterns and want more ideas on how to ease congestion.
People will have an opportunity to share their thoughts during series of workshops this fall.
“I am very glad that they're working to make this a destination for Tacoma and I think the parking issue has to be
solved before they can really do that,” Eckrom said.
More information and updates on MetroParksTacoma.org.
