Trip Report
Urban Walk - Dune Peninsula to Ruston Waterfront
Lovely 7 mile walk along Ruston Waterfront - great company, interesting history, spectacular artwork and wildlife, and perfect weather!
Brad Peacock
- Fri, Aug 9, 2024
- Urban Walk - Dune Peninsula to Ruston Waterfront
- Ruston Way & Waterfront
- Urban Walking
- Successful
-
- Road suitable for all vehicles
-
Since weekday morning walk, we were concerned that there may be intermittant traffic coming in and out of parking lots along our route - but turned out to be a non-issue.
The Ruston Waterfront has so much to offer in terms of history and cultural awareness while still getting a good workout on the route. Becky, Deby and Rebecca loved all the flowers in full bloom!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chinese Reconciliation Park
Designed around the backdrop of a Chinese garden and intended as a place of healing and harmony, the park allows visitors to walk along the interpretive pathways through the sculptured landscape of a Chinese garden and to enjoy the natural beauty of Commencement Bay. Part of the purpose is to reflect upon and raise awareness of the Tacoma Chinese Expulsion of November 1885. In addition to Fuzhou Ting (open pavillion), there is spectacular artwork along the route.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tacoma Fallen Firefighters Memorial
The memorial is "dedicated in honor of those firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty" and has fourteen names from William Galliher in 1901 to the most recent, Albert Nejmeh in 2013. There is a striking sculpture in front of the plaque called "Fully Involved" by Larry Perkins. One of our walkers, Debby, remarked that the scultpure included both male and female firefighters.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Judge Jack Tanner Park
Born in Tacoma, Judge Tanner was the first African-American in the Pacific Northwest appointed to the federal bench as a district court judge. He also worked as a longshoreman in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to help pay his way through university. He was commited to civil rights and equality both as a judge and a member of the community.
Jack Tanner, Janet McCloud, and Marlon Brando on Puyallup Reservation, 1964, Courtesy the Museum of History & Industry Photograph Collection
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ART at Point Ruston
Placed throughout the waterfront and among the neighborhood is all types of marine-themed art. "ART at Point Ruston, both the name of the non-profit and the exhibition itself, is dedicated to curating and exhibiting public art throughout the Point Ruston neighborhood, offering a year-round venue that showcases an ever-changing and expanding exhibition of local, regional and nationally significant art and Artists."
We couldn't pass up taking a pic of this lovely tiled octopus along the ART at Point Ruston route!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Even the flower baskets hanging on street lamps were stunning!
It wasn't just our group and fellow humans having fun - the birds and the seals by Dune Peninsula didn't seem to have a care in the world.
Brad, trip leader, either posing by the Wings of Angels butterfly sculpture, or longing to be able to afford one of the waterfront condominiums.