Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Park Shoreline Restoration 

Overview

Pierce Conservation District (PCD) is partnering with PenMet Parks to design and implement a shoreline habitat restoration project at the Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Park on Fox Island. 

This project will address up to 865 feet of failing bulkhead on the beach using methods that will benefit public shoreline access, as well as the health of Puget Sound. Removal of this failing shoreline armor will reconnect marine riparian vegetation and restore sediment processes that support the sandspit. This restoration will enhance habitat for critical species including forage fish, Puget Sound Chinook, and eelgrass beds, while improving beach access for recreation.


Project Approach

As a public park with residential neighbors, this project requires a comprehensive planning process that carefully considers site feasibility and engages project stakeholders to develop, evaluate, and select project alternatives.  

To support the planning processes, PCD secured funding from the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District and WDFW's Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program. We hosted two community meetings during 2021 to engage Fox Island and district residents and target user groups. Using feedback from these communities meetings, as well as extensive site assessments conducted by qualified consultants, our engineering team produced three conceptual design options in 2021. In 2022, PenMet Parks staff and leadership selected a concept to develop into a preliminary design. The preliminary design was completed in June 2023 and presented to the PenMet Parks board in the fall of 2023. PCD completed the final design of the project, which included expanding the project footprint onto two adjacent properties slated for purchase by the Park District, and presented the final design to the PenMet Parks Board for approval in winter 2024. PCD applied to state grant opportunities to fund implementation of the restoration design. PCD is currently in the process of selecting a marine construction contractor through a public works procurement process to construct the project in fall/winter 2025. 

Project Status

Phase 1: Feasibility Study, Conceptual Design Options, Community Meetings and Stakeholder Engagement – 

During 2020, PCD secured funding from the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District (PCFCZD) to complete Phase 1, which produced conceptual design options by the end of 2021. PCD contracted with Blue Coast Engineering to prepare a feasibility study and alternatives analysis to develop conceptual design options with the input from the public and stakeholders. Conceptual designs considered site conditions, including 1) adjacent residential armor, 2) public uses of the Preserve, and 3) site geology, ecology, and sediment processes impacting the shoreline. 

Phase 2: Preliminary Design and Preparation for Permitting

In July 2021, PCD secured funding from the WDFW Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) to develop the preferred concept into a preliminary design. The preferred concept was selected by PenMet Parks staff and leadership. The preliminary design and permit materials for this concept were completed in June 2023.

Phase 3: Permitting and Final Design

PCD secured funding from the Pierce County Flood Control Zone District to Phase 3. This phase also included expanding the project design to include two adjacent parcels to the southwest. The preliminary design was adjusted to expand the project and re-approved by the PenMet Parks board in fall 2024. Final design (linked below under "Deliverables") was approved by the PenMet Parks Board in February 2025.

Phase 4: Implementation

PCD was awarded funding by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, the Estuary Salmon Restoration Program, and the State Conservation Commission to support Phase 4. Construction of the project will begin on Monday September 22nd, 2025.

Deliverables 

Final Design Drawings: Download construction drawings (16,837 KB)

Community Meeting 1: April 21, 2021 6:00-7:30 pm [View the presentation slides or a recording of the meeting.]

We welcome your input! Fill out our survey to help us understand how you use the preserve give your input on the project.

Community Meeting 2: Restoration Concepts

Monday, July 19th, 2021, 6:00-7:30 pm [View presentation slides or a recording of the meeting.]

We want your input! Fill out our survey to give us your opinions on the restoration concepts or provide other feedback.

Org Chart_DeMolayRestorationProject

For more information on other planned improvements at the DeMolay Sandspit Preserve, the most up to date park closure schedule, and contact information for PenMet Parks staff, please check out the PenMet Parks project page.

Project Contact

  1. Keith Estes

    Shorelines Program Manager
    keithe@piercecd.org
    Phone: (253)358-0088