Pierce County Parks invites the public to celebrate the grand opening of the Pipeline Trail on Saturday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at the Pipeline Trailhead at Orangegate Park off 84th Street East.

This exciting milestone marks the completion of the newest segment of the Pipeline Trail, extending the trail to 5.8 miles from the Tacoma Dome into rural Pierce County. The project was made possible by a partnership with the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities, and it represents a major step forward in improving regional trail connectivity and access to outdoor recreation. The new trail ends at Orangegate Park which features 80 acres of hiking and walking trails.

Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony include Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, Pierce County District 5 Councilmember Bryan Yambe, City of Tacoma District 4 Councilmember Sandesh Sadalge, Pierce County Parks Director Travis Buell, and ForeverGreen Trails Executive Director Larry Leveen.

Following the ceremony, attendees can enjoy a free community event packed with outdoor activities for all ages:

• Guided Bird Walk: Join Tahoma Bird Alliance for a walk along the trail to spot native bird species.
• Guided Nature Walk: Explore local wetlands and habitats with Pierce County’s own Land Steward.
• Rubber Duck Hunt: Find hidden ducks for a chance to win free ice-skating at Sprinker Recreation Center.
• Nature Scavenger Hunts.
• Build Your Own Bird House: A hands-on craft for kids, while supplies last.
• Decorate Your Own Pinwheel: Brighten up the day with colorful DIY fun.
• ‌Plus, there will be free ice cream and bubble stations!

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore a new trail, connect with nature, and celebrate community investment in outdoor spaces.

Event Details

‌What: Pipeline Trail Grand Opening
When: Saturday, June 28, 2025 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Pipeline Trail at Orangegate Park (4256 84th Street E, Tacoma, WA 98446)
This event is free and open to the public.

For more information and to register for guided walks, visit the project website. 

About the Pierce County Pipeline Trail Project

Pierce County’s Pipeline Trail is a paved trail along the Tacoma Water Pipeline between 72nd St E and 94th Ave E. It will link the Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail in South Hill with the recently completed Pipeline Trail in the City of Tacoma, expanding non-motorized commuting and recreation options while promoting healthy, active lifestyles.

Phase 1, which connects Tacoma’s Pipeline Trail at 72nd St E and Waller Rd E to Pierce County’s Orangegate Park, began construction in 2023 and completed in 2025. 

Future phases will extend the trail to South Hill, connecting with the Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail and Heritage Recreation Center. In the long term, Pierce County aims to link the Pipeline Trail with the Foothills Trail—part of the larger “Tahoma to Tacoma” vision that connects communities from Commencement Bay to Mount Rainier National Park through more than 21 miles of regional trails and bike infrastructure.

Visit the Pipeline Trail project website for more details. 

About Orangegate Park

‌Orangegate Park is an approximately 150-acre property located in the Summit-Waller community at the intersection of 84th Street East and 46th Avenue East. The park’s northern 40 acres are currently closed for construction and forestry work, but once complete in 2026, the site will feature an ADA nature playground, off-leash dog park, shelters, restrooms, trails, parking, environmental restoration, and a safe pedestrian crossing that connects to the Pipeline Trail. 

Visit the Orangegate Park project website for more details.

[History: Orangegate Park is former school land, so it remained in public hands, but in the 1930’s through 1950’s, was leased out for farming by Fred Wuestney and his family. Remnants of their farm, like the apple tree are visible on the property.]