Neighborhood News
- Visa Street Soccer Park Opens on Eastside, Named wələx̌ʷildubutali
- The Puyallup Tribe of Indians and Tacoma Public Schools, partnering with Visa, Street Soccer USA, and Bank of America, have opened Visa Street Soccer Park on the northeast side of the former Gault Middle School property in East Tacoma, next door to TPS’ future IDEA school. The tribe’s Language and Culture departments named the site wələx̌ʷildubutali, “Place to make yourself strong,” with the name posted on-site. The park features two Bank of America fields with professional-grade turf and lighting for year-round use, a learning center adjacent to the pitches, and a configuration that lets the two fields combine into a single larger space for bigger matches. It’s also specifically sized to fit regulation blind soccer pitch panels, positioning the park as a regional training hub for the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes and the U.S. Men’s Blind Soccer Team. Ongoing programming will come from the Puyallup Tribe, RAVE Foundation, Sounders FC, Reign FC, and Street Soccer USA. The park is free and open to the community as a multipurpose playfield.
- The Tacoma Mall Keeps Turning Inside Out
- Tacoma Mall’s newest growth is happening outside the mall itself. New exterior-facing restaurants, retail spaces, and gathering areas are taking shape along the mall’s perimeter as the property continues moving beyond the traditional enclosed-mall model it was built around in the mid-1960s. Current outdoor additions include Shake Shack, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and Happy Lamb Hot Pot, with more on the way. The long-term vision is to transform a low-density spread of retail and parking into a more active place where people can shop, eat, work, and eventually live. There is still a draw to the internal mall, with a handful of anchor stores in an enclosed, climate-controlled space where visitors can stay for hours.
- Kiwanis Donates $20,000 to Parkland Community Center Project
- The Kiwanis Club of Parkland-Spanaway Foundation has donated $20,000 to the Parkland Community Association in support of the Parkland Community Center project. The money will help complete music practice rooms and other lower-level remodeling work in the former Parkland School building, while also supporting general operating costs such as property taxes. The community center project has been a long-running effort to preserve the historic building and turn it into a community hub for an unincorporated area that has long lacked one.
- Nourish Eyes Former Mattress Barn Site for New Food Center
- Nourish Pierce County is preparing to turn the former Mattress Barn property into a new food center serving Pierce County. State Sen. Yasmin Trudeau and Sen. T’Wina Nobles recently toured the future site, which is expected to add capacity to Nourish’s countywide hunger-relief network. The project comes as Nourish continues working to expand food access through food banks, mobile service and community partnerships across Pierce County.
- Refugee and Immigrant Commission Seeks Applicants
- Pierce County’s Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Affairs is seeking applicants for two open seats. The openings include a District 6 representative and a youth member living outside Tacoma city limits. The commission advises the county on issues affecting refugee and immigrant residents and works to support advocacy, community engagement, and access to local decision-making. Applicants should be committed to advancing opportunities for refugee and immigrant communities in Pierce County. More information: piercecountywa.gov/CRIA
- Eco-Repurpose Boutique Opens in Ruston
- Eco-Repurpose Boutique, a new veteran-owned and family-operated shop in Ruston, is bringing eco-friendly shopping to the waterfront community. The boutique specializes in unique bags made from repurposed military tents, along with a selection of sustainable gifts, toys, and other environmentally conscious products. The shop’s mission is to promote mindful shopping while giving new life to recycled materials and honoring military veterans. The boutique is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Couple of Scoops Brings Inclusive Ice Cream to Gig Harbor
- Couple of Scoops, an ice cream and candy shop built around inclusive employment, has opened in Gig Harbor’s Olympic Village shopping center. The shop was created by the owner of Couple of Socks at Tacoma Mall and is designed to provide job opportunities for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The shop offers ice cream, candy and a nostalgic parlor-style experience at 5500 Olympic Drive NW, Suite H-103, in Gig Harbor.
- University of Puget Sound Sued Over Unused Dining Dollars
- A lawsuit alleges the University of Puget Sound violated state law by requiring students to purchase prepaid meal plans and forfeiting unused dining dollars when they expired annually. The case centers on whether unused prepaid meal-plan funds should be retained by the university or treated differently under Washington law. The university announced meal-plan changes for the 2026-27 academic year in April, saying the new model was designed to provide more consistent access to meals and respond to student concerns about dining dollars. More information: pugetsound.edu…ing-2026-2027
Local Governance
- Tacoma Seeks a New Pet Mayor
- Tacoma is looking for its next Pet Mayor through a fundraiser supporting the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. The submission and voting period runs June 1-12. It takes a minimum $25 donation to enter a pet and $1 per vote, with a five-vote minimum. The contest invites residents to nominate pets ready to campaign on the important issues, including more tuna in every can and more chew toys for all. More information: gogophotocontest.com/tacomahumane
- Pierce County Sheriff’s K9 Deebo Gets New Protective Vest
- Pierce County Sheriff’s K9 Deebo has a new protective vest thanks to a donation from a Pierce County couple. The K9 Storm SWAT ballistic-resistant vest gives the working dog an added layer of protection while serving with the Sheriff’s Office. The agency said not all of its dogs have the vests and thanked the donors for supporting the K9 Unit.
- Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy Kickoff Rescheduled to Saturday, June 27
- Tacoma On the Go has rescheduled its Streets Levy Kickoff to Saturday, June 27. The original June 6 launch was pushed back because of inclement weather and thunderstorms in the forecast. The kickoff supports Connect Tacoma, the Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy proposed to replace the expired transportation levy and fund citywide street, sidewalk, and intersection improvements. The Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy Kickoff will be 1-4 p.m. June 27 at Willard School, 3201 S. D St., Tacoma.
- Council Member Newsletter Updates
- Did you know you can get the latest information from your local district council member through their newsletters? John Hines, District 1, just released his latest, which covers a recap of his Coffee Chat event held at Wheelock Library, High Investment Corridors, a budget reality check for the city, and more. You can check out all the City Council members and sign up for updates at tacoma.gov/government/departments/city-council/.
- Governor Orders Menopause Workplace Support
- Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Executive Order 26-01 on June 1 to support workplace accommodations for employees experiencing perimenopause and menopause. The order directs state work toward menopause-related workplace accommodations under the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The Washington State Women’s Commission is expected to work with the governor’s office to identify best practices, update policies for public employees, develop training materials for state agencies, and create guidance for private employers. A report is due to the governor’s office by the end of April 2027. More information: governor.wa.gov/office-governor/office/official-actions/executive-orders
- Tacoma Launches Summer Cleanup Campaign
- The City of Tacoma has launched its “Tidy-Up Tacoma: Summer 2026” campaign, an expanded cleanup effort focused on litter removal, graffiti mitigation, and neighborhood beautification ahead of a busy summer season. The initiative includes volunteer cleanup support, free graffiti removal assistance for qualifying property owners, and the addition of 120 new public garbage cans throughout the city. Tacoma’s cleanup crews will also deploy the city’s “Litter Vac,” known as the Grit City Gobbler, to target high-visibility areas. City officials say the program aims to improve Tacoma’s neighborhoods, business districts, and major gateways while preparing for summer events, festivals, and visitors traveling through the region.
- County Reduces Zoning Barriers for Child Care
- The Pierce County Council approved Ordinance O2026-520s, as amended, to reduce zoning barriers for day-care facilities. The county says the changes are intended to expand child care access by allowing home-based day cares as an accessory use in all zones countywide and reducing permitting barriers for commercial day-care facilities in most urban zones. Council Chair Jani Hitchen called child care access a major economic development and opportunity issue. Vice Chair Paul Herrera said the legislation was driven by residents and providers telling the council what needed to change. More information: piercecountywa.gov
- Youth Violence Prevention Funding Moves Forward
- The Pierce County Council’s Health and Human Services Committee moved Resolution R2026-157 forward with a Do Pass recommendation during the week of June 1-5. The resolution approves the Human Services Department and the Allocation Advisory Commission for Prevention Programs’ 2026-2027 funding recommendations for youth violence prevention services. The proposal now moves through the full council process. More information: piercecountywa.gov/council
- Spanaway Lake District Reauthorization Sent to Property Owners
- The Pierce County Council adopted Resolution R2026-150s, sending the question of reauthorizing Spanaway Lake Management District No. 1 to landowners within the district. The council found that reauthorization is in the public interest. Lake management districts are typically used to fund work tied to water quality, aquatic vegetation, shoreline conditions, and related lake-management needs. More information: piercecountywa.gov/council
- Proctor Housing Project Receives 12-Year MFTE
- The Tacoma City Council approved a 12-year Multi-Family Housing Limited Property Tax Exemption agreement for a 98-unit rental housing project in the Proctor Mixed-Use Center. Under the agreement, 20 percent of the development, about 20 units, will be reserved as affordable housing. The affordable units must be rented to households making 70 percent or less of the Pierce County area median income. District 1 Council Member John Hines said the project shows affordable units can be included in Proctor development under the 12-year MFTE program. More information: tacoma.gov/MFTE
- Bridge Meadows Affordable Housing Project Moves Forward
- Construction has begun on Bridge Meadows, a 60-unit affordable housing development on Tacoma’s Eastside next to Stewart Heights Park. The project is designed as intergenerational housing for low-income adults age 55 and older and families creating permanency for youth impacted by foster care. Tacoma invested more than $6 million in the project alongside county and state funding. Leases are expected to begin in July 2027.
- Sound Transit Says Tacoma Dome Link Remains on Track
- Sound Transit’s updated ST3 system plan keeps the Tacoma Dome Link Extension moving forward despite broader cost pressures facing the regional transit agency. The Sound Transit Board adopted the updated plan May 28 after a yearlong effort to address rising capital and operating costs. The Tacoma Dome Link Extension is planned to add about 8.5 miles of mostly elevated light rail between Federal Way and Tacoma, with stations in the South Federal Way, Fife, East Tacoma/Portland Avenue and Tacoma Dome areas.
- Parks Tacoma Child Care Changes Ahead
- Parks Tacoma’s before- and after-school licensed child care program for the 2025-26 school year ends June 12, and the district’s listed summer session has been canceled. The program served students ages 5-12 at Larchmont, Reed, Stafford, Birney, and Fern Hill elementary schools. Parks Tacoma says Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound will take over operations at the three child care sites starting in fall 2026. Families are being directed to the Boys & Girls Clubs for more information about before- and after-school child care. More information: parkstacoma.gov/before-and-after-school
- Tacoma Public Schools Weighs Social Media Litigation
- Tacoma Public Schools’ Board of Directors held a business meeting May 28, when the district considered authorization related to litigation involving social media companies. The issue centers on claims being pursued by school districts around the country that social media platforms have harmed students and increased burdens on schools. The district’s public meeting portal lists the May 28 board meeting agenda and materials. Any legal filing would proceed separately through the courts. More information: tacomaschools.org/about/school-board/meetings
Arts & Entertainment
- TROLLS: A Field Study by Thomas Dambo @ Point Defiance Zoo & Northwest Trek Opens October 15
- Internationally acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s TROLLS: A Field Study opens October 15 at both Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, making the two sister parks the first locations in the Pacific Northwest to host the touring exhibition. Twelve towering trolls, handcrafted by Dambo’s team from reclaimed materials including fallen branches, scrap wood, pallets, and twigs, will be hidden throughout the trails of both parks on a mission to study humankind, led by the fearless and inquisitive Taks. The exhibition is produced by Imagine (Harry Potter, Titanic) and runs through January 24. Beyond the spectacle, the work pulls at themes of sustainability, creativity, and environmental stewardship: recycled materials transformed into monumental art. Parking is free at both locations. Tickets and event details at trolltrek.org.
- India in Grit City: Cinematically Yours @ The POET at Manuscript 6/12
- Grit City Studio’s Cinematically Yours series lands at The POET inside Manuscript, 202 St Helens Ave, for an evening of curated Bollywood film songs, handcrafted Madhubani art, and a guided conversation on intercultural themes like how the idea of arranged marriage has evolved, why food sits at the center of collective cultures, and some of the most dominant themes in Indian cinema. Come for the music, stay for the conversation, leave with new neighbors. Register at gritcitystudio.org. Questions to support@gritcitystudio.org or (385) 204-3512.
- Tacoma Community College Revives Student Musical Theater with Little Women
- Tacoma Community College will present its Spring Quarter 2026 production of Little Women June 12-14 at the college campus, 6501 S. 19th St. in Tacoma. Directed and music directed by Amy Van Mechelen, the production marks the return of student musical theater to TCC for the first time since 1997. Organizers say the show celebrates music, storytelling and campus community through a lively adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel. Performances are scheduled for June 12 and 13 at 7 p.m., with a matinee performance June 14 at 2 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP through the event ticket link.
Opportunities
- Happy Hour Business Expo: Interactive Inlet at Foss Waterway Seaport, June 18, 5:30 p.m.
- The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Happy Hour Business Expo returns to Foss Waterway Seaport with a new feature this year: the Interactive Inlet, a dedicated space full of hands-on experiences while you network. Expect more than 65 local businesses on the floor, around 350 attendees, and waterfront views. The Interactive Inlet roster includes Body by Anam, permanent jewelry and tooth gems; Crafty AF LLC, design your own artist trading card; Defiant Candle Company, custom perfume bar; Grit City Wellness, chair massages and compression therapy demos; Sage and Soul Photography, professional headshots; and The Velvet Ink Co./Tiny Tats by Kat, flash tattoos. Tickets are available at tacomachamber.org.
- Lichen Art Tacoma: Community Crochet Sessions at Tacoma Public Library Until June 26
- Tacoma artist Teresa Owens is building a large-scale crocheted lichen artwork and is inviting the community to help finish it. The piece is about two-thirds complete, and four drop-in sessions across the Tacoma Public Library system this month are where the rest gets stitched: Saturday, June 13, 1-3 p.m. at Moore Library; Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Fern Hill Library; Tuesday, June 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at South Tacoma Library; and Friday, June 26, 3-5:30 p.m. at Wheelock Library. If you can chain and single crochet, you’re in. Bring a friend who’s new, and they can learn on the spot. All supplies are provided. Stay for the whole session or pop in for part of it. Contact Teresa at 253-307-6350, call or text, or teresaowens@rainierconnect.com. Funded by the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program, City of Tacoma. Find them at #lichenarttacoma on Facebook.
- Poverty Summit Set for June 25
- Pierce County Community Action Programs will host the Poverty Summit: Transforming Systems Together from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 25 at The Evergreen State College Tacoma, 1210 Sixth Ave. The free event will bring together residents with lived experience, service providers, advocates, and system leaders. The summit will focus on collaborative solutions related to aging, education, and the justice system. The event includes a keynote, panels, facilitated discussions, lunch, and an “action playbook” intended to help shape future policy and services. Registration is required. More information: piercecountywa.gov/PovertySummit
- Tacoma-Pierce County Food Inspections Released
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department publishes restaurant inspection reports and ratings online, showing the past two years of inspection history for food establishments. The department inspects food establishments one to four times a year based on risk. The department explains that red points are tied to food-safety issues more likely to cause foodborne illness, while blue points are tied to lower-risk violations that can lead to critical problems if uncorrected. More information: tpchd.org/professionals/food-safety/inspections-and-ratings
Recreation
- Swan Creek Trail Run
- Parks Tacoma’s Swan Creek Trail Run heads off into East Tacoma’s Swan Creek Park on Saturday, June 20, with mid-distance trail running and walking under tall forest cover and a sense of being further from the city than the map suggests. Register through Parks Tacoma.
- Swan Creek Park Daytime Closures
- The northeast side of Swan Creek Park will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays June 8-19 while Pierce County crews remove gravel from a sediment pond. The pond is near the currently closed parking lot by Pioneer Way East and Waller Road East. Pierce County said the work is part of flood-reduction and maintenance efforts tied to the sediment pond and nearby drainage system. Park users should plan for daytime weekday closures in the affected area. More information: piercecountywa.gov
- Sunday Open Gym Basketball at Eastside Community Center: New Schedule
- Heads up, Eastside basketball players: Parks Tacoma has restructured Sunday open gym at the Eastside Community Center to keep play safe and fun. Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon are open to all ages; noon to 3 p.m. is competitive play for ages 18 and older only, unless approved by staff. The Teen Center stays open and staffed from noon to 3 p.m. for youth who are present but cannot play basketball during the competitive window. Eastside Community Center, 1721 E. 56th St., 253-404-3990. Send questions to info@parkstacoma.gov.
- Sound to Narrows Returns to Tacoma
- The annual Sound to Narrows race returns to Tacoma, continuing a community tradition that has been running since 1973. Hosted by Sound to Narrows and MultiCare Health System, the event takes place at Vassault Park and features race options for participants of all ages and abilities. Runners can choose between the signature 12K course, known for its challenging hills, or a faster 5K route. Youth participants can take part in a 2K race, while the youngest competitors can test their speed in the popular 20-yard Diaper Dash. The longtime Tacoma event draws runners, walkers, and families from across the region and remains one of the South Sound’s most recognizable road races. Registration information is available at soundtonarrows.org.
- Gig Harbor Waterfront Connector
- Pierce Transit’s Waterfront Connector, Route 101, returns June 12 for summer service between Gig Harbor’s historic downtown waterfront and the Uptown shopping district. The route also connects with other bus routes at Kimball Drive Park & Ride. Service runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Aug. 23. Buses run every 30 minutes, with service from 10:30 a.m. to 10:20 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 10:30 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. Sundays. Regular bus fares apply, and youth 18 and younger ride free. More information: piercetransit.org/connector
- Cal Raleigh Rehab Brings Big-League Buzz to Cheney Stadium
- Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is scheduled for a Major League rehab assignment with the Tacoma Rainiers, giving Cheney Stadium crowds a rare chance to see a Mariners star in Triple-A. The club announced that Raleigh would begin his rehab assignment with High-A Everett on June 7 before transferring to Tacoma on June 9, with the team expected to reassess after the week.
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