DeMolay Sandspit Shoreline Restoration, Accessibility and Park Improvements

PenMet Parks is committed to providing accessible parks and facilities and stewarding natural areas. The 8.7-acre DeMolay Sandspit Park features viewpoints, trails, and an expansive beach and sandspit providing a broad diversity of recreational activities.

In 2022 and 2023, PenMet Parks identified improvements at DeMolay Sandspit as a capital priority. This included a master planning phase to engage stakeholders and members of the public in developing a comprehensive vision for this popular site. The master plan was completed in 2024.

PenMet Parks’ overarching goal with the DeMolay Accessibility and Park Improvement project is to allow people of all abilities to reach the waters of Puget Sound, one of the highest priorities identified by our community. There is a 63′ change in elevation from the parking lot to the water’s edge, which is accessed by an existing asphalt driveway, creating challenges for the current ADA access at the site. In addition to providing improved access, this project will provide additional park amenities such as accessible restrooms, additional parking, and picnic areas that were identified as priorities through the master planning process that included significant public engagement. This project is integrated with shoreline restoration work at DeMolay Sandspit.

August 2026 Update

The permitting process for the Phase II Accessibility and Park Improvements took longer than expected. Due to this, construction cannot be completed in the 2026 weather window. Construction will now begin in 2027, and the park will remain open until then. Updates will continue to be provided as new information becomes available.

Project Summary

PenMet Parks partnered with Pierce Conservation District to coordinate its project with the conservation district’s Shoreline Restoration Project. Deficiencies in current public access opportunities and accessibility at the park will be addressed by improving the existing facilities and adding new amenities. This project will renovate and improve DeMolay Sandspit to fill a gap in our services by constructing new and improved ADA compliant facilities for underserved people with mobility issues, including a new mid-site entrance with ADA parking, ADA compliant access to the beach, accessible picnic areas, and ADA compliant restroom facilities.

Master Plan:

PenMet Parks engaged stakeholders and community members to develop a Master Plan to establish a comprehensive vision for DeMolay Sandspit. The master plan will guide design of accessibility and park improvements at the DeMolay Sandspit. Work on the Master Plan was completed in 2024.

Phase I: Shoreline Restoration:

In late 2025 Pierce Conservation District removed approximately 845’ of failed bulkhead and restored the shoreline. The project was funded by Pierce Conservation District. Learn more about this project.

Phase I park impacts:

The work was timed to accommodate critical forage fish habitat windows and preferred tides. The project was deemed substantially complete in late December 2025. The park reopened to the public Dec. 23, 2025. Additional work was completed in February 2026 to protect new plantings, and later in the spring to install temporary irrigation.

Phase II: Accessibility and Park Improvements:

The next phase of the project will address deficiencies in current public access opportunities and accessibility by improving the existing facilities and adding new recreation amenities while maintaining the unique natural features of the site to the greatest extent possible. This project will renovate and improve DeMolay Sandspit to fill a gap in service by constructing new ADA compliant facilities for underserved people with mobility issues, including a new mid-site entrance with ADA parking, replacing the existing steep asphalt roadway with ADA compliant access to the beach, accessible picnic areas, and ADA compliant restroom facilities. As part of the project, parking will be improved and expanded. All disturbed areas will be revegetated.

Design is currently underway and is approximately 60% complete. PenMet Parks applied for permits with Pierce County on December 29, 2025.

Phase II park impacts:

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all park visitors, DeMolay Sandspit will be closed during construction, which is anticipated in 2027.

Learn more about DeMolay Sandspit Park.

Project Schedule

Project Phase	Anticipated Schedule
Master Plan	Complete
Accessibility and Park Improvement Design	Summer 2024 – Winter 2026
Phase I – Shoreline Restoration (in partnership with Pierce Conservation District)	Complete
Accessibility and Park Improvements Permitting	Anticipated Winter 2025 – Spring 2026
Phase II – Accessibility and Park Improvements Construction	2027

DeMolay Accessibility and Park Improvements Funding

The total DeMolay Sandspit Accessibility and Park Improvements budget is approximately $3.58 million, including master planning, design, construction, and soft costs. The project is funded through PenMet Parks’ Capital Budget and grants. This budget does not include the shoreline restoration work, which is funded through Pierce Conservation District.

PenMet Parks’ Capital Budget	$2,583,583.90
RCO Grant (ALEA)	$500,000
Washington State Capital Budget	$499,550
Total	$3,583,133.90

Park Expansion

In 2025, PenMet Parks acquired approximately 3.5 acres of forested waterfront land adjacent to DeMolay Sandspit at 52 and 58 Island Blvd. The purpose of this acquisition is to expand public access to saltwater shoreline while preserving natural features such as forested land and habitat. This expansion is fully funded by grants through the Pierce County Conservation Futures program and the Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) program administered through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. The expanded park area is now open to the public.

As a condition of grant funding, PenMet Parks was required to demolish the two existing cabins located on the parcels. Demolition was completed on Nov. 7, 2025.

Master Plan Development

The Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Park Master Plan was adopted by the Board of Commissioners on March 19, 2024. The concept design is shown below.

Outreach

PenMet Parks worked with District residents through two public meetings and four stakeholder meetings that included the Washington Water Trails Association, Harbor WildWatch, Peninsula School District, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, the Puyallup Tribe, Fox Island Community Recreation Association (FICRA), and others. Four concept design alternatives were developed for the project. From there, a preferred alternative was identified and is shown, above. The master planning process included development of a project program, which is included, below.

Background Documents

The Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit was acquired in 2010 by PenMet Parks with a grant from the Recreation Conservation Office (RCO). The purchase agreement and long term obligations required by the grant are included, below, along with property covenants as part of the purchase and sale agreement with the Tacoma DeMolay Chapter. For further information on the RCO grant for purchase, please visit the Recreation and Conservation Office Property Acquisition Project Snapshot. 