Discovery Pond Playground Opens at Nature Center

Yesterday, Tacoma's kids got their first crack at "Discovery Pond," a wonderful combination playground/nature exhibit outside the Tacoma Nature Center.

At 7 and 9, my kids still love to poke around inside the Nature Center, but they are getting a little bit old for the exhibits. Discovery Pond is the perfect addition for kids of all ages, but especially for school-aged kids who may have outgrown the smaller indoor space.

A short path winds around a pond stocked with trout, crisscrossed by bridges. Across the pond from the entrance is a tall slide designed to look like it grew out of a tree trunk. From the top of the slide, kids have a great view of the entire playground including a treehouse style fort, water pump and wet sand play area.

The best part? Like other exhibits at the Nature Center, Discovery Pond is 100% free. (But if you can, you should make a donation in the box at the trail head in the parking lot.)

Tacoma Nature Center
1919 South Tyler Street, Tacoma
(253) 591-6439