2019 Gig Harbor (Wash.) Official Visitors Guide

• OUTDOORS
Sehmel Homestead Park
Key Central Forest
360 Trails
10123 78th Ave. NW
10527 Wright Bliss Road NW
10905 144th St. NW
56 GIGHARBORGUIDE.COM | 2019-20 GIG HARBOR VISITORS GUIDE
98 acres. Includes boundless
playground, artificial turf, soccer/
football/lacrosse field, Boeing
Mariners Care baseball field, two
softball fields, tennis and basketball
courts, 1,500-person amphitheater,
100-person pavilion, picnic areas,
open grass meadow, heritage garden,
pond, over 4 miles of trail and 76
acres of meadow, pond, wetlands and
forest conservancy area. Art/artifacts.
Drinking fountain. Restrooms.
Sunrise Beach Park
10015 Sunrise Beach Drive NW
The 6-acre beachfront portion of the
park includes designated parking
areas, picnic tables, day-use areas,
2 miles of walking trails and forest
paths with views of Mount Rainier
and Puget Sound, and beach access
to the 2,400-linear-foot shoreline on
Colvos Passage. The beach provides
access to a popular scuba diving
destination. Portable toilets, unpaved
parking, fishing.
KEY PEN PARKS
Gateway Park
10405 state Route 302
72 acres. This is Key Pen Parks newest
park.This park features plenty of
parking, restrooms, play areas for all
ages and a large pavilion. Key Pen
Parks purchased this 39-acres of
property in 2012 (and another 33 acres
in 2016). A master plan was adopted
in April 2015 for Gateway Park. The
master plan includes sports fields,
playground, restrooms, a splash
pad, amphitheater and more. Its
proximity to the 360 Trails has allowed
for a trailhead from Gateway Park.
Construction will continue to take
place as funds allow.
Home Park
17220 8th Ave. Ct. NW
This is the first neighborhood park
on the Key Peninsula, complete with
a playground, picnic shelter, adult
swing and restroom. This park is a
tremendous asset to the community
and enjoyed by all ages.
480 acres. The property is off Wright
Bliss Road. Visitors may park at the
gate just off the road and walk in. The
property consists of forested land
and Vaughn Creek, a salmon habitat
creek. While there are many trails
in Key Central Forest, they are not
through trails. Wildlife viewing.
Maple Hollow Park
4411 Van Beek Road NW
This 58-acre site offers a circular trail
with midpoint access to a stretch
of beach along Puget Sound with
views of Mount Rainier. This park
includes an improved walking trail,
hiking trails, handicap-accessible trail,
picnic area and walking access to a
saltwater beach on Carr Inlet. There
are three campsites via water access
only. The park is open to the public,
even when the gate is closed.
Rocky Creek Conservation Area
State Route 302 at 150th Avenue
The area covers over 224 acres of park,
open spaces and conservation land
and is managed jointly with Pierce
County and Key Pen Parks. Rocky
Creek has over 3 miles of walking
(nonmotorized) trails, two benches, a
trailhead kiosk with map and limited
parking space at the trailhead. The
property consists of wetlands, two
streams, and various plants and
wildlife.
Taylor Bay
17916 76th St. SW
This is a nonmotorized boat access
park, which includes 40 acres of
wetlands, pocket estuary, mudflats,
lagoon, salt marshes, creeks, forested
uplands, riparian areas and patches
of open meadows. A great place for a
picnic!
Volunteer Park
5514 Key Peninsula Highway N.
This 20-acre park includes three
baseball fields with lights, picnic
areas, skateboarding park, horseshoe
pits, half-court basketball, quartermile
ADA paved walking trail.
Restrooms, outside concert area,
9-hole disc golf course, picnic shelter
rental. Home of the Snack Shack.
Accessible through Gateway Park
by using the trailhead. This 360-acre
property located on the north end of
the Key Peninsula includes trails which
are accessible to walkers, equestrians
and mountain bikers. The main trail
is a large 2-mile open loop that takes
about an hour to walk with smaller
trails that cut throughout the woods
to rejoin with the main trail. Whatever
level of mountain bike experience
you have, our trails are designed for
beginner, intermediate and advanced
riders. Pump track. Picnic tables and
benches. Trailhead kiosk. Wildlife
viewing. Available for events.
DOG PARKS
McCormick Forest
Off-Leash Dog Area
10123 78th Ave.
Area of 122 acres of old forest growth
that is fenced in for dogs to play offleash.
Water stations and refuse bags
at each entrance. All handlers must
carry a leash per dog. Outside of this
area dogs must be leashed within the
rest of McCormick Park. No bicycles or
horses permitted within this fenced
area.
Rotary Bark Park
10100 Bujacich Road NW
This 97-acre natural area contains a
15-acre off-leash dog area with over
one mile of fenced trails. The property
includes older forest, regenerating
forest, abundant wildlife, and over
3 miles of trails for hikers, bicycles
or horses. Features off-leash area
with play meadow, paved parking,
portable toilet, refuse bags. Park in
Fire District No. 5 headquarters lot.
Tubby’s Trail Dog Park
2120 14th Ave. NW
Small dog off-leash area with play
meadow for dogs under 25 pounds.
Large dog off-leash area with play
meadow. Additional features include
parking, portable toilets and refuse
bags. Tubby was a black, male cocker
spaniel who fell into fame when
Galloping Gertie collapsed on Nov. 7,
1940. As the only victim of that great
disaster, Tubby has earned a special
place in the hearts of many.