Point Defiance Park

Point Defiance Park, located in Tacoma, Washington, is a vast urban park spanning 760 acres. The park is home to a variety of attractions including the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Rose Garden, Rhododendron Garden, several beaches, trails, a boardwalk, and a boathouse. It also features a ferry dock operated by Washington State Ferries, providing a route to Vashon Island. Fort Nisqually and an off-leash dog park are also part of the park's offerings. A significant portion of the park, about 400 acres, is dedicated to old-growth forest.

Wildlife at Point Defiance Park

Point Defiance Park is a haven for both wildlife and people. The park is not just home to the animals inside the Zoo & Aquarium, but also to a variety of wildlife in its natural habitats. From the high bluffs overlooking the Tacoma Narrows, visitors can observe bald eagles feeding on salmon runs carried by the strong tidal currents. The calls of these eagles can be heard from their nests in the preserved old growth forest that makes up the northern 400 acres of the park. In winter, sea lions migrating from California can be seen feeding in the swirling tides beneath the Gig Harbor overlook. Harbor seals are also abundant near the east-facing beach, and seal pups are often spotted north of Owen Beach in late summer and early fall.

Gardens at Point Defiance Park

The gardens of Point Defiance Park are a key attraction for visitors. These include a Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, and Dahlia gardens, which surround the former superintendent's home built in 1898 during the Yukon Gold Rush. The gardens are conveniently located near the park's main entrance and the approach to the Zoo & Aquarium. They are situated on a bluff overlooking a waterfront that includes the boathouse, Anthony's Restaurant, and a Washington State Ferry landing that provides access to Vashon Island. Other public gardens on site include the Native Plant, Herb, Fuchsia, and Iris gardens. A notable feature of the Japanese Garden is the Pagoda, which was built in 1914 as a streetcar station.