Parkland & Spanaway
A few city parks, a future community trail, and the Pacific Lutheran University campus near Tacoma with interconnected forest trails, beaches on a lake for sea kayak launching, views of an old mill pond and dam, a fish bypass, groves of oaks, native grasses, and lowland spring wildflowers including trillium and native orchids.
GETTING THERE
Spanaway Park & Bresemann Forest
- Take Exit 127 (SR-512 east towards Puyallup/S Tacoma Way) off of I-5. Use the left three lanes to stay on SR-512. Take the Steele St exit and use left two lanes to turn onto Steele St. The road continues as 116th Ave and then Spanaway Loop Rd. Turn left onto Military Rd.
- There are three parking lots in Spanaway Park just off of Bresemann Rd, a right trun off of Military Rd.
- The parking area for Sprinker Recreation Center with access to Spanaway Park & Bresemann Forest is on the left just east of Bresemann Rd.
about the parks
Military Road bisects the Spanaway Park and Breseman Forest, and its pedestrian crossing allows hiking from one park to the other.
spanaway park
A 135-acre park along Spanaway Lake that is is popular and busy all year long. Amenities include two swimming beaches (no lifeguards on duty), a boat launch, a fishing pier, handicapped accessible bathrooms, a new picnic area by the south swimming beach, ADA playground equipment with a seating area for parents, three miles of trails, softball fields, and basketball courts.
bresemann forest
A 70-acre wooded area with two miles of interconnected nature trails. An orienteering course in the forest is as good test of navigation skills.
Pacific Lutheran University
In the spring enjoy lovely flowers, cherry blossoms, manicured lawns, and woodland settings on the Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) campus. Routes connect to the former golf course PLU Meadows where native camas blooms and views of Mount Rainier and the Olympics keep you company. There are easy connections to the future Parkland Community Trail where longer routes can include Spanaway Park and Bresemann Forest. And Parkland Prairie is just south of the campus.
Parkland Prairie
Just south of the PLU campus, this 4.5-acre nature preserve is an urban treasure! Clover Creek runs along the south edge of the prairie which features a grove of newly planted Garry Oaks, native plants such as blue camas and Idaho fescue, and 15 native grass and flower species. There is a new outdoor classroom and a half mile of ADA-accessible trails.
Parkland Community Trail
A future trail that will run from Pacific Lutheran University and Parkland Prairie to Spanaway Park and Bresemann Forest.
- Suitable Activities: Day Hiking, Sea Kayaking, Trail Running
- Seasons: Year-round
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 5.0 mi
- 350 ft
- Land Manager: Pierce County Parks and Recreation
- Parking Permit Required: None
- Recommended Party Size: 12
- Maximum Party Size: 12
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
- see Land Manager
This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.
- Bresemann Forest
- Spanaway Park
- Spanaway Lake
- Spanaway Park & Bresemann Forest
- Bresemann Forest & Spanaway Park
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Parkland Prairie
- Pacific Lutheran University & Parkland Prairie
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