News 2025

Work is substantially complete at DeMolay Sandspit and the park is open as of Dec. 23, 2025. Park hours are 7 a.m. to dusk.  The park was closed while Pierce Conservation District completed a nearshore restoration project. 

The park will remain open until summer 2026, when construction is anticipated to begin on a planned park improvement project aimed at increasing accessible access to the beach and increased passive recreation amenities at the park.  

Pierce Conservation District’s restoration project focused returning the shoreline of the spit to a more natural state. This included removing the man-made seawall and large chunks of concrete that dotted the shoreline. Tides can now reach the upper shoreline, creating more opportunities for forage fish habitat.  

PenMet Parks also removed two homes from Island Boulevard where they abutted the beach. The removal of these homes is a first step toward the District’s larger goal of improving access at the park. 

Crews will return in January to add temporary fencing around native plantings to prevent foot traffic from trampling the vegetation. In the meantime, visitors are asked to please be mindful of roped off areas and new plants.  

Access to the beach is possible through the path from the parking lot and the paved driveway down the beach. Winter conditions exist, including muddy ground and slippery slopes. Park visitors are advised to use caution when walking to the beach. 

The Peninsula Metropolitan Park District Board of Commissioners named Olympic Civic Services as the recipient of its Betty Lilienthal Advocacy Award for 2025.

Formed in 2023, Olympic Civic Services (OCS) and its founding directors, Joe Hillyer and Gary Parker, have made exceptional contributions to our community in a short amount of time. With a focus on seniors, veterans and youth, the organization has already made tangible impacts on our community.

OCS sponsors events across the peninsula, including at assisted living facilities, giving seniors opportunities to connect, have fun and be active. These events include senior proms, Hawaiian luaus, Valentine’s Day dances, monthly birthday celebrations, bingo and more.

Every winter, OCS works with community service organizations to sponsor seasonal events like “Senior Santa” for 1,500 seniors in independent and assisted living housing in Gig Harbor, and Wreaths Across America which ensures gravesites for every veteran in the Cromwell and Artondale cemeteries has a wreath placed on it at Christmas.

OCS founders Joe and Gary have shined a spotlight on senior needs in our community, pushing for a dedicated space for seniors to gather, offering constructive input to community-wide conversations on this issue.

The pair served on the PenMet Parks’ Steering Committee, which was tasked with studying community needs regarding a dedicated space for seniors. OCS remains committed to this vision and is part of a community-led Senior Task Force.

In addition to advocacy and facilitating collaboration between individuals and organizations, OCS provides direct services and supports organizations like PenMet Parks.

OCS provides free senior programs such as monthly movies and partners with PenMet Parks to offer bi-weekly bingo. In 2024, OCS sponsored a showing of “The Longest Day”, making it available to veterans at no cost.

OCS was the stage sponsor of PenMet Parks’ annual Scarecrow Festival this year and sponsors transportation for PenMet Parks’ senior trips.
Since its inception, OCS and Gary and Joe have consistently stepped up to provide steady, dependable support to fill areas of need. OCS’ mission to provide essential social services and opportunities to local area seniors, veterans and youth, while also promoting individual fulfillment, collaboration and exchange of information and ideas, aligns with the PenMet Parks’ mission to enhance the quality of life by providing parks and recreation opportunities for the community.

About the Betty Lilienthal Advocacy Award
PenMet Parks established the Betty Lilienthal Advocacy Award in 2024 to recognize a person or group who has been an exceptional advocate in the community and has significantly impacted PenMet Parks’ mission and vision. The award is named in honor of community member Betty Lilienthal because of her advocacy work for senior programs and services.

Heading into 2026, Peninsula Metropolitan Park District is focused on innovation, inclusion and sustainability.

These priorities are the framework for the 2026 Operating and Capital budgets, which were adopted Nov. 18, 2025, by the Board of Commissioners.

What does this mean for district taxpayers and program participants?

It means PenMet Parks remains focused on providing high-quality programming and facility access responsive to community needs. The operating budget accounts for what is anticipated to be a 42% increase in recreation program service delivery needs in 2026.

Areas of focus in 2026 include youth programming, adult sports and fitness, programs for families, free community events, adaptive and specialized recreation, and senior programs.

It also means a continued focus on fiscal responsibility as PenMet Parks maintains and improves existing developed properties and plans to create a future public park at the Peninsula Gardens site at the corner of Wollochet Drive NW and 56^th Street NW.

It is anticipated that more than 50% of projected spending in the next six years will go toward investments into proactive maintenance of existing assets.

The adopted budgets advance strategic goals and objectives adopted by the Park Board. General Fund revenues are balanced to address operational and capital needs, along with long-term debt obligations. The operating budget also continues to build strategic reserves to effectively deliver and maintain the continuity of services expected by district taxpayers, program participants and park visitors.

The proposed operating budget reflects a concerted effort by the district to diversify its revenue streams beyond property tax collections to take advantage of grants, sponsorships and charitable giving.

The adopted budget takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Read the adopted 2026 Budget here.

Since opening the PenMet Parks Recreation Center this summer, we have enjoyed watching the community discover the center and all it has to offer.

We are committed to making the facility a welcoming and engaging space for everyone. To make sure we are reaching our goals, we ask that you please take time to share your experience by taking this survey. Even if you have not visited the center, we encourage you to take the survey.

Your insights allow us to continue to serve the community in a meaningful way. As a thank you for completing the survey you can submit your email address to be entered into a drawing for a 10-use pass to the center.

The survey takes 5-8 minutes to complete. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

It is budget season at PenMet Parks as the Board of Park Commissioners prepares to act on the proposed 2026 Operating and Capital budgets before the end of the year.

For 2026, we are focused on innovation, inclusion and sustainability. The proposed budgets were crafted with these strategic priorities in mind.

This includes a continued focus on high-quality parks and programming responsive to community needs. The operating budget accounts for what is anticipated to be a 42% increase in recreation program service delivery needs in 2026.

Areas of focus include youth programming, adult sports and fitness, programs for families, free community events, adaptive and specialized recreation and senior programs.

The proposed $3.65 million capital budget addresses planned major maintenance, partial funding for the planned park at the Peninsula Gardens site, and other capital needs as priorities for 2026. It is anticipated that more than 50% of projected spending in the next six years will go toward investments into proactive maintenance of existing assets.

The proposed budgets advance strategic goals and objectives adopted by the Park Board. General Fund revenues are balanced to address operational and capital needs, along with long-term debt obligations. It also continues to build strategic reserves to effectively deliver and maintain the continuity of services expected by our district taxpayers, program participants and park visitors.

The proposed operating budget also reflects a concerted effort by the district to diversify its revenue streams beyond property tax collections to take advantage of grants, sponsorships and charitable giving.

Want to learn more?

Find information about the proposed 2026 Budget and proposed property tax collection here. You can also call 253-858-3400 or email [email protected] for information. Board agendas and packets for its meetings are here.

The Park Board is holding a public hearing on the proposed budget and proposed property tax levy collection at a special meeting, Nov. 4, 2025 at 5 p.m. at the PenMet Parks District headquarters, 2416 14^th Ave NW.

The public is invited to attend the hearing and give comments on the proposed budget and property tax collection.