West Hylebos Wetlands Park in Tacoma, WA
The West Hylebos Wetlands Park is a one-of-a-kind natural gem that Tacoma has to offer. The park, built on top of an abandoned landfill, features walking trails through wetlands and forest habitats. It is home to over 200 species of birds, and other wildlife and the threatened Western pond turtle. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
The West Hylebos Wetlands Park in Tacoma, WA, offers visitors a glimpse into our region’s natural beauty with its vast array of woodland creatures and plant life native to this area. In addition, throughout the year, there are many family-friendly activities taking place at West Hylebos, including nature walks, bird watching tours, educational programs for children, and more.
About the West Hylebos Wetlands Park
The West Hylebos Wetlands Park is a great place to visit any time of year. It’s open from dawn until dusk, and there are no admission fees for this stunning park that features more than five miles of trails, as well as four distinct habitats: grassland/wetland, riparian forest, estuary, and marine shoreline. Visitors can see fowl such as geese and ducks flying overhead or wading in the water below; they may also spot native plant species like skunk cabbage growing alongside non-native plants such as Queen Anne’s Lace.
The saltwater marsh at low tide provides an excellent habitat for birds, including those migrating through on their way south during the winter months. High tide is a perfect spot to catch a glimpse of river otters, seals, and maybe even the resident seal lions at play. Many species of shorebirds drop in for visits during migration periods. The trails are wide enough for strollers or wheelchairs, although one trail crosses over a boardwalk, which might be difficult for some visitors with mobility issues to navigate due to stairs on either side.
Raccoons make their homes within the park’s wooded areas; American black bears may also live here (although they typically avoid humans). Visitors should not feed any wildlife found in this park because many animal species depend upon natural food sources. Providing them can result in aggressive behavior from these ordinarily docile creatures.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of this park is that it’s located right on Tacoma’s coastline, which means visitors can combine a visit to Hylebos with a bit of beachcombing along Ruston Way. There are many shells and interesting rocks to be found here, plus there might even be some driftwood from logs floated in from out at sea during high tide. The West Hylebos Wetlands Park became protected land back in 1998 when planners realized its environmental importance and the surrounding wetlands’ significance for filtering pollutants before they could flow into Commencement Bay. It’s also home to several species that have been designated either threatened or endangered by local government agencies, including Western Pond Turtles, Bell’s Sparrows, Chinook salmon, and Coho Salmon.
This park is perfect for bird lovers, parents with young children looking for a safe open space to play in. This park allows leashed dogs and wheelchairs/strollers accessible (although there are some narrow stairs on one trail). The trails will lead you through wetlands, grasslands, and trees, but it’s also an excellent place for beachcombing if time permits. It is not recommended during winter months due to high tides, making the area inaccessible at times depending upon weather conditions on any given day.
Facts about the West Hylebos Wetlands Park
The West Hylebos Wetlands Park in Tacoma, Washington, was created by the City of Tacoma and The Pierce Conservation District through a partnership to enhance educational opportunities for students and families. The park is home to a fantastic array of wildlife, including ducks, geese, herons (both great blue & green), osprey, hawks, bald eagles, cormorants, coots, moorhens, swans, kingfishers.
There are many different types of fish that call this wetland area their permanent or temporary habitat. These include stone roller minnows, sunfish species such as pumpkinseed s, and perch, which can be seen while exploring one of the three on-site trails. Wood ducks can be found nesting in holes along the creek.
The West Hylebos Wetlands Park is a unique natural treasure for Tacoma to enjoy, but it’s also unique because of its multi-use features. The park provides a habitat for animals and allows them to flourish while at the same time providing places where people can explore nature or hold events such as weddings or parties. A great location with endless opportunities!
This park has created native habitats for plants, animals, and birds by restoring natural tidal areas to their original state. Visitors can walk trails through various ecosystems, including freshwater wetlands, saltwater wetlands, mudflats, and upland forests while enjoying the scenery of Puget Sound. As a bonus, there are many great views across Commencement Bay. Five miles of trail wind past creeks and ponds while offering scenic vistas of Puget Sounds’ shoreline. Be sure to check out the short pier at the end, which gives visitors a chance to get up close with wildlife like herons or other coastal creatures feeding in this rich environment!
What to do on West Hylebos Wetlands Park?
Walking around on the boardwalks and viewing wildlife: This is an excellent spot for bird watching, with over 200 species of birds documented here! There are also many different types of animals like deer, rabbits, and squirrels spotted throughout this park.
Hunting for geocaches: There are dozens of caches hidden throughout this park, all with different levels of difficulty, and some requiring the use of a compass or GPS (be sure to check local laws before hunting). You can visit Geocaching.com or download their app on your smartphone/tablet for hints!
Fishing: There is a fishing pier on site that stretches into the water, and you can bring your gear to fish for bass, salmon, trout, and more! Make sure to get a license if required by law (you can purchase one at West Hylebos Wetlands Park). You must also check local regulations as some types of fishing are prohibited in certain areas or only allowed with special permits.
Walking dogs: Dogs are allowed on leashes at West Hylebos Wetlands Park within certain areas, so be sure to bring yours! Remember that you must also pick up after your pet to keep the park clean for others and protect our environment.
Enjoying the Pacific Northwest beauty: This park has many different types of trees and vegetation, including cedar, spruce, madrone, Douglas fir, and much more.
What not to do on West Hylebos Wetlands Park?
– Do not park in the neighborhood surrounding West Hylebos Wetlands Park. If you do, this is private property, and you may be towed or ticketed by Tacoma Police Department. It’s best to use a designated parking area such as those found on South Prairie Creek Road, which will also put you closer to the trailhead of West Hylebos Wetlands Park.
– Keep your dogs leashed at all times when visiting this natural gem for its abundant wildlife, including turtles, ducks, geese, and other river-dwelling fowls. There are even bald eagles that can sometimes be seen soaring overhead! Our family loves these birds because they are pretty majestic looking, with their white heads and talons shining brightly against their dark feathers.
– Never walk on the dikes around any ponds because it may be unstable and cause further erosion to these already sensitive ecosystems. The pond areas are also used by migratory birds that need this habitat for stopping points during their epic journeys across continents. If you love nature, then please follow these simple rules when visiting West Hylebos Wetlands Park!
– Do not feed any animals, as this encourages them to come so close that they are more likely to be hurt by humans. This is especially important with geese and ducks because you may scare away their babies if you get too close! The same goes for deer; do not try to touch or pet them since it’s possible for diseases like Lyme Disease (spread through ticks) which can affect both people and pets alike. Again, please respect these creatures by keeping your distance when visiting West Hylebos Wetlands Park.
– Do not litter here. Please use the trash bins provided, or bring your reusable bag to carry out whatever you’ve got into this beautiful natural gem! If everyone just picked up after themselves and others, there would be no need for many volunteers who help clean up these parks every year since they are all maintained by city staff. Our family loves seeing people helping each other on our adventures at West Hylebos Wetlands Park; it makes us feel good about being part of such a great community that takes care of its environment as we do with our home garden.
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