FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Carrie McCausland, Media and Communications, cmccausland@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005

City and Metro Parks Partner to Maximize Public Assets: 
Effort Begins with Schuster Slope Open House Wednesday, July 16

As a slice of undeveloped open space that’s primarily been left in a natural,undeveloped state, it provides important environmental benefits. It helps manage stormwater, provides wildlife habitat, and protects water quality.

It’s for these reasons that the City’s Environmental Services Department is caretaker to select open spaces, such as the Schuster Slope, throughout Tacoma. Yet, perhaps such spaces could further nurture surrounding neighborhoods. The City of Tacoma and Metro Parks Tacoma have entered into an agreement to find out. They want to determine how the needs of the community can be served by these spaces through the fostering of volunteer stewardship, quality vegetation, and natural resource management plans.

At an open house on Wednesday, July 16, staff will ask for feedback to weigh the various interests that need to be considered as part of managing the Schuster Slope open space, such as vegetation, slope stability, forest stewardship, public access, safety, views, and passive recreation. The open house will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Landmark Convention Center’s Rooftop Garden Room, 47 St. Helens Ave. in preparation for the creation of a natural resource management plan.  

The partnership will work to address Mason Gulch next year plus volunteer and maintenance assistance in Wapato Hills and Julia’s Gulch. Metro Parks is a natural partner for the City in this cause as they already manage 2,000 acres of open space and natural areas across their district area and have an established Natural Resources Division.

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