All parks are open 7 am to dusk
Park Description
Description: This 97-acre natural area contains a 15-acre off-leash dog area with over one mile of fenced trails. The property also includes areas of older forest, regenerating forest, abundant wildlife, and over 3 miles of trails for hikers, bicycles, or horses. Parking is at the Fire District #5 Headquarters as signs indicate, across the street from McCormick Forest. Keep dogs ON leash unless in a designated off-leash area.
Park Features
General
Dogs off-leash area with play meadow
Picnic
Picnic Tables
Additional
Sanicans, Paved Parking, Dog Bags
Natural Features
Forrest Areas
History
This 97-acre site was originally owned by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. In 1994, the Peninsula School District purchased this property for a future school site. But in 1995, Pierce County implemented a new land-use strategy that shifted future populations away from this site to other areas of the Gig Harbor Peninsula. Subsequently, in 2011, the Peninsula School District Board of Directors agreed to lease the site to the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District to build the district’s first off-leash dog park.
The dog park was named the Rotary Dog Park by the park district’s board of commissioners in recognition of all that the Gig Harbor Rotary has done for the park district and our community. CHEW, the Canine Health Education and Welfare group, donated funding to help equip and maintain the park.
Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One agreed to lease a portion of their parking lot to support the dog park.
Local runners from the high schools and community runners and walkers have used the trails for training and recreation.
Over the years several Eagle Scout projects have added or improved trails, constructed a shelter, and built picnic tables. A Girl Scout Gold Award project constructed the information kiosk. Many other volunteer groups have also worked to improve and maintain the park.
Park Rules
Download Park Use Regulations (PDF)
Download Leash Regulations (PDF)