PenMet Parks Recreation Center FAQs

The Recreation Center opened on July 1, 2025.

The Recreation Center is an inclusive space that is open to everyone. You do not have to live within PenMet Parks’ district boundaries to use the Recreation Center. 

The Recreation Center features many recreation amenities identified as high priorities by our community, including an indoor synthetic turf field, multi-purpose courts, flexible spaces that support a wide range of programming, and community gathering spaces. The Recreation Center is part of a larger campus that features an outdoor event lawn/youth soccer field, the District Headquarters and community space, an extension of the Cushman Trail, and a mini golf course.

Some examples of activities that are at the Recreation Center include walking or jogging, soccer, basketball, pickleball, lacrosse, volleyball, fitness classes, senior programs, art classes, pre-school activities, youth and adult sports leagues, and more. Please contact us if you have an idea for a program.

Outside training, coaching, and practices are prohibited unless the space has been rented for that purpose. 

The Ben B. Cheney Foundation Track is free for everyone to use. There is a fee to participate in fitness classes, drop-in activities, sports leagues, and other programs. User fees help pay for the cost of equipment, staff, and Recreation Center operating expenses. Read more about PenMet Parks’ Pricing Policy here.

Facility users living within PenMet Parks District boundaries receive a 20% discount on passes and registration fees. We are offering a single-use pass, 10-use pass, 20-use pass, and a family pass for those residing in the same household. More information about passes can be found on the Recreation Center webpage.

Yes, PenMet Parks’ financial assistance program may be used for all Recreation Center fees and passes.

Hours and schedules are available on the Recreation Center webpage.

As part of the Recreation Center project, PenMet Parks extended the Cushman Trail from the southern trailhead on 14^th Avenue NW through the Recreation Center campus to 24^th Street NW. This strategic extension provides safe pedestrian access to the Recreation Center and nearly completes the connection between the Cushman Trail and Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Scott Pierson Trail. 

Cushman Trailhead parking is available at the south Recreation Center parking lot.

PenMet Parks’ reimagined 18-hole mini golf course is located on the Recreation Center campus. It has its own hours of operation and fees. Visit the mini golf web page to learn more.

Youth ages 11 and older may use the facility unsupervised during designated youth programs. Youth ages 10 and under must be supervised by a responsible individual age 16 or older.

Yes, Recreation Center and mini golf course facilities are available to rent. Please email [email protected] or call (253) 858-3400 for rental inquiries.

Based on what we know today, the Washington State Department of Health recommends that people who enjoy soccer continue to play regardless of the type of field surface. Our recommendation is based on our investigation and the available research on crumb rubber which currently does not suggest it poses a significant public health risk. Assurances of the safety of artificial turf with crumb rubber are limited by the lack of adequate information on potential toxicity and exposure.

The total project cost for the Recreation Center campus and Cushman Trail extension is $31.6 million. This includes construction costs and soft costs like design fees, permitting, equipment, and taxes.

Over 85% of the project cost is funded by PenMet Parks district residents. This portion is funded in two ways: through the regular property tax levy that is assessed on properties within District boundaries, and through a limited tax general obligation (LTGO) bond. Repayment of this bond is budgeted for in PenMet Parks’ existing annual operating budget. The cost to build the Recreation Center did not increase PenMet Parks residents’ property taxes. 

Additional funding support is provided by the Washington State legislature, a Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program – Trails Category grant administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office, and generous private philanthropic gifts.

Ongoing operations are funded through user fees and facility rental fees, with additional support from PenMet Parks district residents through the District’s General Fund. Prior to constructing the Recreation Center, PenMet Parks conducted an operating pro forma that found Recreation Center operations will be nearly 100% self-sustaining by the end of the third year of operations in 2028. This model includes an annual set-aside to pay for future major facility maintenance needs.

The Recreation Center is a public facility owned and managed by PenMet Parks. PenMet Parks developed the Recreation Center with input from many stakeholders in our community including user groups, public and private organizations, other service providers, and members of the public in order to identify our community’s highest priorities for recreation amenities and to avoid duplicating services or competing with other providers.

Visit the Recreation Center webpage learn more and to view the latest information.

PenMet Parks welcomes your questions and feedback. Please email [email protected] or call (253) 858-3400 to reach us.