Steel Lake Park in Tacoma, WA
The Steel Lake Park in Tacoma is a beautiful, quiet oasis perfect for people looking to escape the noise of city life. The park has an extensive trail system with many different types of terrain and views. It also contains two large ponds with trails around them and a small beach on one side. There are plenty of trees throughout the park, so it feels very green year-round.
History of Steel Lake Park
Having a city park located right in the middle of Tacoma, WA, is extremely rare. Steel Lake Park is one such place that has a fascinating history and offers some great recreation opportunities today. The area was originally home to Native Americans living near Commencement Bay, where they fished for food and hunted game.
After Europeans settled on the Puget Sound, it became part of their homesteads which were eventually purchased by white settlers who turned them into farms growing crops like hops, potatoes, strawberries, apples, and cherries along with dairy cattle raising operations as well as poultry farming at various times throughout its history up until 1920 when much of its agricultural use ended due to urban sprawl around the lake.
It was then purchased by Charles Looff, a German immigrant known as the “Carousel King,” who built several amusement parks in Washington State. He expanded his empire to include the site, which he then named “Looff’s Lake Park” and had a carousel pavilion surrounded by picnic tables near what is now called Looff Cove on its northern end, along with an outdoor theater, restaurant concessions, and more attractions including rides like Incubator Baby Boats (a boat where riders could control their speed).
The Whip roller coaster ride that took visitors up hills at speeds of 35 mph, Penny Arcade games that provided entertainment for children during the day while offering burlesque shows after dark until it closed due to complaints about risqué dances performed there resulting in a change in management and the addition of more family-friendly entertainment. In 1940 it was renamed “Lakewold Gardens” by new owners, adding formal landscaping around the lake with paths connecting its many areas, which is why there are still remnants of stone fences from previous gardens that visitors can see today, along with other structures created during that time including an outdoor fireplace on one side near what is now called Looff Lake Cove.
The park started closing down after World War II when families began moving out into homes where they could have their backyards instead of visiting amusement parks like this one but continued to be privately owned until 1968 when Pierce County purchased both Steel Lake Park as well as Fort Nisqually Living History Museum located just north of it.
The park was closed for several years due to the cost of maintaining it until 1984 when citizens started a campaign called “Save Our Park,” which raised money through donations to restore its infrastructure and reopened with a new name, Heritage Park at Fort Nisqually. It now includes picnic tables shaded by trees along trails that wind around small ponds where visitors can fish without getting caught up in reeds or other vegetation while also offering self-guided tours throughout the year during daylight hours except on major holidays, including Halloween night.
About the Steel Lake Park
Located in Tacoma, Washington’s historic Stadium District, Steel Lake Park is a lush green oasis that offers many opportunities for visitors to enjoy nature and take advantage of park amenities. Glaciers formed the steel lake during the last ice age. When it flooded in 1930, this beautiful body of water became an excellent resource for boating sports and fishing throughout much of Northwest history. In 2005 two public skatepark facilities were added to the area around the lake, along with play equipment designed specifically for children aged three years or younger and a Tot Lot Playground right next door at Harrison Park, where restrooms are available all year round too.
The park is filled with beautiful trees and grassy areas for picnicking or just hanging out. Many trails go around the lake, making it a wonderful place to take your dog on walks. You can also ride your bike through Steel Lake Park since multiple paths surround the waterway where people usually walk their dogs. This area becomes bustling during lunchtime when employees from all over Tacoma come here to eat sandwiches they’ve packed themselves in preparation for work in downtown Tacoma. Unfortunately, this tends to fill up much of the main parts near the lake.
There are also many native plants growing throughout the park, so be sure to look for them! The unique landscape of this small oasis is fascinating and makes it a great place to come with friends or family while exploring something new in Tacoma, Washington. Steel Lake Park isn’t huge, but there are still plenty of activities you can do here like walking through trails, fishing off one of the docks, picnicking by the waterway, taking your dogs on walks around the area, or even flying kites during an outdoor picnic date night! You might want to consider bringing some snacks because none of these things make eating sandwiches brought from home sound too appetizing.
Facts about the Steel Lake Park
The first skatepark at Steel Lake is a street plaza designed for all ages and abilities. This facility has ledges, rails, banks, ramps, and obstacles, including stairs, pyramids, and more. An entire concrete surface allows riders to quickly learn about the many features within this park while enjoying views of the lake from almost every angle throughout your session.
The second skatepark was built based upon designs that include those submitted by local youth in an annual event hosted by Tacoma’s Community Services Department each year since 2004 known as “Design Your Own Skatepark Day.” Their new design included two large bowls with smooth curves leading into them, often used for skateboard cross-training. There are also two street plaza areas with various obstacles to challenge even the most advanced skaters while creating a fun environment for socializing and learning new tricks.
Now, the place is better known for its walking trails that run around the lake. Steel Lake Park is a great place to get away from the hustle of daily life. It’s quiet and peaceful here with limited car traffic. In addition, there can be some healthy exercise benefits too!
Steel Lake has both paved paths for walking or biking and dirt trails that lead into the woods among old-growth trees where you might spot an owl along the way if not many other animals besides squirrels.
There is also a famous fishing pier on one side of the lake that attracts anglers, but it doesn’t seem like they catch much more than bass (and no steelhead). You may even see deer running across what used to be military land before it became the park.
The only downside is that there are no restrooms nearby, and previous landowners removed outhouses. We hope they will be replaced in the future! Otherwise, this is a beautiful place for an afternoon stroll or to get some fresh air while fishing off of their pier with your children.
Activities in Steel Lake Park
There are many different activities in Steel Lake Park, including biking and hiking trails. There is a lake with boats available for rent during the summertime. In addition to boating, you can also fish or swim in this park. You will find picnic tables throughout the area so that your family may eat their packed lunches while enjoying nature’s beauty at its finest. When leaves change color during the fall months, there is a great photo opportunity here as well!
If you enjoy fishing, there is plenty of room for your car boat along with lake access, where you will find beautiful views, especially during wintertime when ice forms over parts of the lake. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk, but the off-leash dog area closes at sunset for safety purposes.
The picnic areas in Steel Lake Park are available from April to October. There is a fee for parking and boat rentals, which you can find online or at the park entrance. This park does have a restroom but no water fountain, so be sure to bring your drinking water when visiting this Tacoma gem!
The park has many different recreational activities to offer, such as picnics with barbecues and, of course, live events like concerts or performances held on special occasions. Children will be entertained by a playground located in this area which offers them several places where they can climb, swing, and slide down slides while having fun under the supervision of their parents. You don’t want to miss out on these unique experiences, so get your family together today planning an outing at Steel Lake Park!
What to see on Steel Lake Park?
Steel Lake Park has a great selection of amenities. There are picnic shelters, tennis courts, and many paths for walking or biking around the lake itself. In addition to these amenities, there is also an “Adventure Playground” where children can climb on nets suspended from trees, play in tunnels made out of logs, run up hills covered with bark mulch and even ride down slides. That has been built into large tree stumps! Steel Lakes offers a free kayak-use program during the summer months if you want to try your hand at paddling around this quiet oasis in Tacoma, WA. The North End Paddling Club provides lessons and opportunities for experienced kayakers looking for some nearby fun when they visit our area!
Steel Lake has both paved paths for walking or biking and dirt trails that lead into the woods among old-growth trees where you might spot an owl along the way if not many other animals besides squirrels. There is also a famous fishing pier on one side of the lake that attracts anglers, but it doesn’t seem like they catch much more than bass (and no steelhead). You may even see deer running across what used to be military land before it became the park. The only downside is that there are no restrooms nearby, and previous landowners removed outhouses.
Otherwise, this is a beautiful place for an afternoon stroll or to get some fresh air while fishing off of their pier with your children. There’s also parking available on-site if you decide to visit, but please pick up after yourself when leaving so as not to leave too much trash behind like many other parks, unfortunately, tend to have happened, even if it wasn’t originally yours. By doing our part, maybe we can help keep Steel Lake Park clean and quiet, which promotes healthy living and an excellent habitat both year-round and during the breeding season.
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