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PHOTOS BY MELISSA MCGINNIS

EXTREME MAKEOVER. (left) Metro Parks staff Cody Wells, Tony Miljour (behind statue), Bob Bitz and Jeff Pudists delicately place the refurbished Fisherman’s Daughter statue back on the Wright Park pond, which itself (above) was given a hefty makeover as part of renovations to the park that will be shown to the public May 10.

Phase I of Wright Park redesign ready to be unveiled

By Matt Nagle

On May 10 from 1-3 p.m., a grand reopening celebration will be held at Wright Park to unveil to the public all the completed phase one master plan improvements that have been made to the park over the past eight months.

Metro Parks Communications Manager Nancy Johnson said that while many park passers-by have noticed the newly-painted, gleaming white statues at the parks entrances – the two lions at the Sixth Avenue entrance and the two ladies known as “Annie and Fannie” on the Division Avenue side – visitors will notice much more once they walk around the 27-acre park.

“The renovation of the pond is one of the most significant changes that people will notice,” she said. Crews had to remove about 27 trees from the pond area that had seeded themselves in and rooted into the pond’s sidewalls, causing damage. The walls were then reinforced and the pond made deeper to support a new fountain feature with aerators to minimize algae growth and improve the health and clarity of the scenic pond.

Another major improvement was to the pond’s permanent resident, the Fisherman’s Daughter statue, also known as the Lady in the Lake, which was refurbished to its original glory by Tacoma artist Lynn Di Nino and put back in place late last month.

Visitors will also notice changes to the park’s trail system. Paths were relocated so that they didn’t lead walkers to tread upon the root systems of some of the more than 30 state champion trees that reside in Wright Park.

A lot of new trees were planted as well – about 95 of them in more than 80 varieties, bringing the park’s total tree count to 648 in 148 different varieties. “The city of Tacoma has made May 10 our city’s official Arbor Day,” Johnson said, and parks commissioners will mark the day by planting another new tree during the grand reopening celebration.

Metro Parks Urban Forester Kathy Sutalo pointed out that no trees in the park were cut down for aesthetic purposes. Only those that were causing damage or were rotting and posing a hazard were removed. “The whole redesign (of the park) was planned around its historic trees,” she said. “The fascinating thing about Wright Park is its tree collection. Work was planned to not disturb the trees that are already there, and more were planted to expand the collection.”

The Education Committee at W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory has put together a tree tour brochure that explains the history of the trees and when they were planted.

Numerous things were done to return the park back to its original grandeur, including moving the basketball court from the center of the park in order to reclaim the central green promenade and the long view it once offered, important to park visitors and for enhanced security. A new lawn bowling green has been added along with a new “pit” for playing horseshoes.

Improvements to the park’s infrastructure include major electrical upgrades, which will allow greater ease for events like Ethnic Fest, and a total makeover to the brick structure that houses the park’s restroom facilities. “We really wanted to stay true to the original character of the building while making it more functional,” Johnson said. “We now have a spectacular looking park bathroom that’s updated and modernized without losing its historic feel.”

There was a lot accomplished during the Wright Park renovation, and it was done under budget to boot according to Johnson. Leftover funds will go to launch phase two of the park improvements, which will include construction of a new playground and splash park area.

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