SOUTH SOUND

New Section of Point Defiance Park Loop Trail Complete; Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Date Set

Jul 14, 2026, 3:56 PM

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Sound Sound

Originally published on South Sound.

Parks Tacoma has announced that the newest section of the paved trail in Point Defiance Park is complete and open to pedestrians and cyclists. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on July 31.

The celebration will run from 3:30-5:30 p.m and will include a ribbon-cutting behind the Pagoda and a guided walk to Owen Beach along the newly opened trail.

The yearlong construction concluded earlier this month, and visitors can once again enter the park via Pearl Street or Mildred Street. The project added 1.6 miles of trail, connecting visitors to Wilson Way Bridge, the Pagoda, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Environmental Learning Center, and Owen Beach.

This was the second phase of the Loop Trail, which cost about $6 million. Phase 1 was completed in 2023 and added a new sidewalk to Park Avenue west of the Mildred Street entrance roundabout, among other improvements.

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New Section of Point Defiance Park Loop Trail Complete; Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Date Set